With the regular season coming to a close, Tori Trovato, Lizzy Marks, Bailee Goodon and Jayme McCreary have had plenty of memories over their four-year tenure here at Oswego.
This group has managed to make the playoffs all four years while being a part of this program. Besides the on-ice accolades, they have all built countless memories that will last a lifetime. From the holiday extravaganza dance off, to off ice pre-game warmups, to team paintball and just being able to put on the green and gold, these four will never forget their time as Lakers.
“It’s always so special just to be able to wear the Laker crest,” assistant captain Lizzy Marks said.
All four realize that what they were, and currently are, a part of is special. To be a college athlete is something not many people can do. Hockey is fully entrenched within Oswego and because of that it means even more.
“Coach always says ‘there are so many girls who would do anything for this experience,‘” Trovato said. “We have to take advantage of it because there are a bunch of girls dying to be in our positions.”
As the time winds down on their playing careers, it’s important to win and advance as far as possible in the playoffs, but also cherish these last few games.
“For me, it’s just enjoying every moment we have left,” McCreary said. “You get four years to be the all-star, the hot-shot and then you graduate and it’s kind of done and then be an adult. So for me, I just want to enjoy the last few games of hockey that I have.”
“It’s definitely going to be heartbreaking to be honest,” Trovato said. “We’ve spent, I don’t know how many hours in the rink practicing. For that to be over, it’s really going to break all of our hearts.”
Coach Diane Dillon has had the honor of leading these young ladies during their collegiate career and was able to reflect on all of it.
“These guys have been through a lot of things in their four year tenure here,” Dillon said. “These guys have had a lot of peaks and valleys in the four years that they have been here and I think it’s kind of indicative of this entire season.”
The coaching staff feels that despite the rocky middle portion of this season that the four leaders gave the team the best chance to succeed and help bring the locker room together.
“I think they are a good mix,” Dillon said. “They are four very different individuals so I think they cover the entire team. The four of these guys have encompassed all of those personalities. Their teammates are going to be really sad to see these guys go.”
Just coming to the rink everyday is something that any hockey player will miss once their career ends. That time brings you closer to teammates. The relationships one can create through hockey is irreplaceable.
“You’re walking into your family room,” Dillon said. “You’re with your family and that whole routine; they’ve embraced it and made it their own. It’s hard to find that group that you’re going to have surrounding you, like you do through sports.”
Of course, these four athletes say they will miss the competition that collegiate hockey, and sports in general bring.
“[I’ll miss] just putting on the jersey and going to battle everyday,” Marks said.
Goodon said that the little things like stepping out on the ice is what she will miss the most when her time as a Laker is over. So many small memories will be talked about for a lifetime.
With the ECAC West playoffs coming up, the season doesn’t have to end just yet. The Lakers can keep playing, and prolong their careers for a few more games. It will be a difficult task, but something the seniors think the team is capable of doing.
“I think we just have to play our own game,” Goodon said. “Just not worry about the other team and play how we play.”
“It’s all about confidence,” Marks said. “I think we’re starting to hit our stride as a team.”
This Saturday all four will all be honored with a post game ceremony as they take on the Elmira College Soaring Eagles in the regular season finale. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena.
