Coming off a win yesterday the Lakers are now the proud owners of a four game win streak and are poised to make that five as they face-off against the same Neumann University team they played yesterday. Oswego State won due to their ample offensive zone time, something they could easily do again today in this ECAC West match up.

Andrea Noss and Olivia Ellis were finally reunited after their success last season. Alexa Aramburu played alongside them and for most of the night that line had their way with the Knights’ relatively young defense core. The Lakers put 42 pucks on net and overall Neumann could’t cleanly break the puck out.

The Oswego State forecheck was good all night and adjustments made in game by the coaching staff shut down anything the Knights tried to do. It looks like that will be the case tonight. We’ll have to see what other offensive attacks Neumann has up their sleeve for this tilt.

The adjustment’s made in the second intermission will be something the Lakers should do today right from the drop of the puck. Dropping a forward back in the offensive zone to negate any Knights tying to streak out for a long stretch pass worked very well and is what led to the Lakers win. Great adjustment by the coaching staff. That could be the beginning of a one sided game if the Knights can’t find any offense and get pressure in the Laker end.

The questions revolving around who gets the starts for the Lakers got even more difficult last night as Tori Trovato allowed only one goal and she was left out to dry more than a few times that game. She made 26 saves and in the first portion of the second period she made some really big stops to keep the Lakers up 1-0. Mariah Madrigal may start tonight but Trovato isn’t really worried about all of this.

“It’s something I like because we push each other to get better constantly,” Trovato said. “It’s a difficult situation but it’s a good problem to have, to have two goalies ready to go.”

Justina Mayr, Neumann’s starting goalie had a very busy night as she faced 42 shots. For that reason it wouldn’t be too shocking to see Julia Fair in the crease. Fair has played three games this year and has yet to win. The junior will need to be as good as Mayr if Nuemann wants a win.

Players to Watch

Oswego State: Andrea Noss

Noss centers Alexa Aramburu and Olivia Ellis on that Laker first line and it seems to click. The entire line put together a goal last night due, in part, to her ability to win face-offs. Noss went 12 of 16 yesterday in the dot and has been good in that area all night. The speed of this line is unmatched and Noss is the playmaker those two need. Her 13 assists last year was good enough to be second on the team in that category.

Neumann University: Sammy Patrick

The freshman was out there for all three goals against yesterday. She plays big minutes and is counted on heavily by her teammates as a shut down defenseman. Patrick needs to improve in order for Neumann to get a win today. Watch her all game to see what adjustments she can make to keep the puck out of her own net.

Game Prediction

Coach Dillon could take most of the credit for the Lakers win last night. She out coached Neumann and that directly led to a win. If the Knights can’t create a new offensive scheme it will be a long night for them. Oswego State’s pure talent level just seems to be above Neumann, as well. The Lakers roll all four lines while the Knights only play three so the depth also has a big factor when these two teams play.

Lakers win 4-1

By the Numbers

Standings

Lakers- 10 points [Tied for second place]

Knights- 3 points [Sixth place]

Goals Per Game

Lakers- 2.7

Knights- 1.1

Power Play

Lakers- 8-40 (20%) [Tied for No. 23 in Div. III]

Knights- 4-42 (9.5%) [No. 44 in Div. III]

Penalty Kill

Lakers- 17-21 (81%) [No. 42 in Div. III]

Knights- 43-56 (76.8%) [No. 50 in Div. III]

*Standings are their spot in the ECAC West unless specified otherwise.