The Oswego State Lakers won Saturday afternoon against the Stevenson University Mustangs 5-2 completing the weekend sweep. With the win, the Lakers improve their home ice record to 11-1-1, and are now 18-4-1 on the year. The win today was also their 18th of the season, breaking last season’s record for most wins in a single regular season.
Unlike the past few games for the Lakers, they started off hot, scoring twice in the first period.
“It’s always important,” Head Coach Diane Dillon said on her team starting off strong today. “Especially on the second day of the weekend, it’s tough. Momentum is everything and we knew this was a tough team. We knew they would be coming hard, so to score early and take some wind out of their sails a bit was important.”
Olivia Ellis notched her 10th goal of the year, on a one-on-one breakaway. Monica Cramer set up Ellis with a great pass at center ice, ad got her first point of the year.
The second goal of the period came from Alexa Aramburu, who has scored five goals in her last four games. Assists went to Alli Ulrich and Andrea Noss.
The 2nd period saw both teams score a pair of goals. Ashley Lyman and Andrea Noss both found the back of the net, and gave the Lakers a dominating 4-0.
Lyman’s goal came on a pass from Jayme McCreary that was tipped by Sarah Grupp and then put in the net by Lyman. Noss’ goal came 55 seconds later and was her fifth goal of the year, and her 17th overall point.
Stevenson fought their way back, however, and tallied two goals to cut the lead in half. Dillon commented on the momentum swing it brought.
“They came out strong at the beginning of every period,” Dillon added.
On the two goals Bridget Smith surrendered, there were some questions on what happened to the defense and how Smith positioned herself to defend the puck.
“There were a couple things”, Dillon said on the goals surrendered. “We had chances to clear a couple of those pucks, and Bridget overplayed a little bit. On the one, she poke-checked when she could have just covered that or just stayed in the net. She wants to be aggressive, and we encourage that, but I think she overplayed a little bit and got out of position.”
Brianna Rice scored in the third to make it a 5-2 game, and Bridget Smith did the rest from then on out. Smith finished with 28 saves in the game.
The most improved part of this Laker’s squad on their seven game win streak is their domination on special teams. Since back-to-back losses against Plattsburgh State, Oswego has converted on 13 out of 35 power plays. Along with that, they still have the nations best penalty kill defense, allowing only four goals on 75 chances.
Assistant coach Andrew Lazzaro talked about the team’s recent success on power play and the maturation of this team on special teams.
“I think it’s just a comfortability with everybody. We’re definitely moving the puck very well, creating opportunities, finding the open person, and taking the shots when we need to. I think it’s collectively as a whole, not just one person. We work on it a lot, and it’s something that has become repetitious. It’s starting to show.”
Dillon weighed in after Lazzaro.
“They’re comfortable with the options. If options one isn’t there, then we look to option two. We have different looks and they are comfortable now.”
Up to this point in the season, both Brianna Rice and Olivia Ellis have 20 points (Ellis has 23, Rice has 20). They’ve both been going back and forth for the team lead, but Dillon doesn’t think there is too much of a rivalry.
“We don’t really focus on that stuff, all players want the most points. I’m sure there is a little friendly rivalry there.”
The Lakers are now on a seven game win streak, and are arguably playing the best hockey they’ve played all year. Dillon was quick to hold off too much confidence going into this week’s preparation against Elmira.
“Not yet,” Dillon said on whether this is the best the team has been playing all year. “Hopefully it’s in a week or two weeks. A team like Stevenson showed some of our weaknesses. We struggle sometimes clearing the puck out of our zone, sometimes we don’t win as many physical battles as we should. With five on five, we need to be more disciplined.”
Despite some room for improvement, Dillon is pleased with the overall team morale.
“I think it will be good, I think they are excited. This team has accomplished two major milestones (100 wins for the program, 18 wins in a season) and have done something that no one before them in a Laker jersey has done.”
Dillon continued on her team’s resilience through the lengthy season.
“One thing about any season with any sport, is that it’s long. And to stay focused when the weather is bad and school is starting to kick in with exams, so it’s all about focus.”
Saturday was also senior day, where goalie Bridget Smith was recognized for her tremendous accomplishments on and off the ice. After the game, there was a ceremony for her on the ice, and she was the center of all of the attention.
“I owe it a lot to my family and my friends and how they’ve supported me through the years. I had a huge group of friends here today, and it was great to see them here and great to see my family. It’s good to know that I have that support system there.”
Being the only senior on the team, Smith faced additional pressure in having to be a leader on the team.
“It’s hard to express the way I feel, as to opposed to how a freshman feels,” Smith said. “They haven’t had the experience of playing four years, so the biggest challenge was to express what it was like.”
Smith up to this point in the year is first in Divison III in save percentage, second in shutouts, and is part of the Lakers that had the best penalty kill percentage in the nation. Despite her success this year, it wasn’t even known if she would have playing time this year. Both her and Junior Captain Tori Trovato had a competition for a majority starter, and Smith was the most impressive in the end.
“It was frustrating, I had doubts in my mind that I wouldn’t get much playing time this year. As a goaltender, you don’t get a regular shift. You’re either in or you’re out. It’s tough being on the bench so I owe a lot to Tori (Trovato) and Maria (Madrigal) for showing up to practice every day, and I appreciate them showing up and working as hard as they did. It’s going to be great to see where they go.”
If there is one thing Smith wants to know her teammates have learned from her, is to cherish their time on the ice and not take it for granted. I don’t say that to be mean, but you should be excited to work hard, and it’s so much fun to win.”
“Four years goes by in a flash. Everyday you should be happy to walk into the rink, and if you’re not, it’s not for you anymore
The Lakers go on the road to No.1 Elmira next weekend. The Lakers lost both games to Plattsburgh State this year, when the Cardinals were No.1 in the nation. Elmira is 2-1 against Plattsburgh this year, and will be the best team Oswego plays this year. Even one win against Elmira would give Oswego a big confidence booster into the playoffs, and possibly give them a chance to crack the top ten of the USCHO.com poll.
