Yet again, another good start for the Oswego State Lakers, but they couldn’t pull out the win agaisnt the No. 2/3 ranked team in the nation. This marks the second, or even third some might say, solid start for the Lakers. Those were all too rare this season. Elmira College just used their size and speed to take down Oswego State tonight.

The Lakers dropped to 9-1-1 on the year when scoring first. Bailee Goodon scored her second goal, in as many games, tonight to open the scoring at 4:22 of the first period.

Great pressure from the entire Laker team put the Soaring Eagles on their heels early, and they capitalized. A good effort along the boards from Laura Thacker resulted in her getting the puck to Kendall Appelbaum at the point. Appelbaum’s shot deflected right onto the stick of Goodon and she was in the right place. The puck beat a sliding Kelcey Crawford to open the scoring.

Oswego State then were sent to the powerplay, as Maddy Jerolman went off for hooking. If Oswego State would’ve found a way to score on this man advantage the entire landscape of this game could’ve been different. Instead, Oswego State gave up a shorthanded marker. This was the turning point in the game.

The second unit was out on the ice and the puck ended up in the neutral zone. Senior, Jayme McCreary chased after the puck, and was beat by Olivia Nystrom. Nystrom chipped the puck past McCreary and scored from the top of the circles. A bad play from McCreary shocked the Lakers early.

“McCreary’s mistake, that’s unacceptable,” Coach Dillon said.”[We] coughed up pucks too often, unforced errors are what killed us today.”

Elmira College struck again to give them the lead, on the powerplay. Appelbaum was working well in the corner, killing time off the clock, but was too slow getting back to the slot, and it resulted in a rebound goal. Maddie Evangelous found Louisa Lippiatt Durnell, the UK native. She took a shot from the circle and the rebound chance was driven home by Katie Granato. Trovato was beat short side on the rebound chance.

The Lakers out shot the Soaring Eagles through two periods. The opening frame was their best period and the second Oswego State had flashes, but all was lost in the third period.

“I think we just lost it a little bit,” Goodon said. “There were points when we came back and played our game.”

Trovato had a tough night in net. Overall, she just looked off. She was out of position on Johanna Eidensten’s first goal, was beat on a bad angle shot from Durnell and was falling back into the net on the Evangelous marker early in the third.

Despite the lackluster night, Trovato will be in net tomorrow. Goalies will have off nights at times, they just need their defense to be better during those games, and they weren’t tonight.

“[Trovato] will be ready for tomorrow,” Dillon said. “She’s a professional, if you will, and she’ll come back with that competitive spirit, she’ll come back fighting tomorrow.”

Mikaela Ditonto was put in after the sixth goal allowed, her first ever appearance.  She wasn’t perfect, but she held her own and made one or two huge saves.

“To come in off the bench, in a situation like that against the No. 3 team in the country, I can only imagine what is going though that young ladies head,” Dillon said. “She came up, made a nice save.”

Oswego State seemed out matched at times because of the speed and size of the Soaring Eagles. That team played 10 players that were 5-7 or taller. Oswego State had four on the ice. They weren’t able to get around those two facets of Elmira’s game.

“It was a test of our character,” Dillon said. “Some of our players stepped up and really brought more energy, and really tried to execute what we asked them to do. Others kind of rolled over and died. It’s kind of an interesting testament when you get spanked around a little bit.”

It was really shocking to see how drastically this game turned. A better effort is needed tomorrow, what the Lakers learned today should really help them come tomorrow afternoon.

“Once we stick to our structure, we’re playing our game and we are all over them.” Goodon said.

Oswego State dropped to 1-8-3 overall on the year when trailing after the first period and 6-8-3 in conference play.

Coaches Corner

I talked with assistant coach Greg Haney after the game and he pointed out that if the Lakers would’ve been able to go up a goal on that early powerplay chance, that they would be in the driver’s seat. The Lakers could’ve played a neutral zone trap and just keep dumping the puck in. That frustrates a team, if it is done properly. Even without running the trap Oswego State was doing a great job of forcing turnovers early. This just shows you how big of a moment that short handed marker was.

Puck Possession

If that stat was kept, Oswego State would’ve had less than two minutes of puck possession in the final period. Just a guess. They really had only one good chance and it was a Monica Cramer shot from the hash marks that was blocked before it even got through.

Frustration

Olivia Ellis registered four shots today and was one of the better Laker forwards, when it came to puck battles. A lot of good work was done along the boards from her and she created some opportunities all on her own. The 2-on-1 chance where the net was dislodged on her third shot attempt is the best example. One has to fall soon. It would be a problem if she wasn’t creating, but she is. Definitely a concern, but not that major considering she is getting back to making things happen offensively. Ellis hasn’t scored since the Morrisville State game, but has four assists in her last five games.

Bright Spot

A few good moments came from today’s game. A big one was Brennan Butler’s play. She showed her wheels at times during this tilt. A pretty good showing overall from the bottom six tonight.

The fourth line’s play tonight was consistent, yet again. Goodon, Grupp and Thacker are earning their minutes.

Best Pads

Kelcey Crawford takes home the award for best pads. Those beauties are some of the best I’ve ever seen, not just in collegiate hockey. Well done, Kelcey.

Best Quote

“In the third period, we were awful. That’s all I can really tell you. We were terrible.”

You guessed it, that one came from Coach Dillon. She hit it right on the nose.

Allowing five goals and only registering two shots constitutes as”terrible.”

Playoff Picture

With SUNY Cortland’s OT win over William Smith the six teams are all set. The Red Dragons’ win knocked out William Smith, now it is the seeding issue. SUNY Cortland and Oswego State are both fighting for the fifth and six seed.

The Lakers will take on the same Elmira College team tomorrow at 3 p.m. All four seniors will be honored with a post game ceremony.