The 2015-2016 season was the most disappointing any of the current women’s ice hockey players have had since coming to Oswego State.

The team had its lowest finish in the league (fifth) since the 2011-2012 season at 6-9-3 and its fewest wins overall since the seniors arrived. The upcoming campaign is an opportunity to return to form.

“It was disappointing finishing in fifth place last year,” said head coach Diane Dillon. “Overall, we lost some games we shouldn’t of. I think we were most disappointed in only having six wins in the conference.”

The penalty kill, which was the best in the nation two seasons ago, dropped significantly as did the power play. The Lakers simply looked a tad slower overall last season. Each of these areas will need to see improvement.

The emergence of Utica College and Buffalo State is an indication of the league, which already includes perennial national powers SUNY Plattsburgh and Elmira College, growing deeper.

“I expect that all the ECAC West teams are going to be gunning for everybody. In our league you can’t take a weekend off. I think Utica and Buffalo will come with some renewed confidence, but at the same point so do we. I think arguably we are the toughest league out there.”

Assistant coach Greg Hainey was able to bring in nine freshmen to help the Lakers this season, but also down the road.

“We had to get better in a hurry so we did,” Dillon said.

NEW LEADERSHIP

The new season comes with a new core guiding Oswego State. The squad lost two of its three captains following the 2015-2016 season, leaving behind now-senior Ashley Lyman to carry the torch.

Lyman praised both former captains, Tori Trovato and Lizzy Marks, on helping her become the leader she is today. Playing two sports with Trovato provided additional guidance.

“It was tough at first,” Lyman said. “Honestly, having the time I had with [Trovato] last year, being an assistant captain, spending as much time with her as I did both in hockey and softball she really helped.”

Dillon thinks Lyman has her work cut out for, but is confident in her ability to be a great leader for the team.

“[Lyman] does have big skates to fill,” Dillon said. “With being an assistant captain [last year], she really saw how we like to run things. She had the great opportunity to be under two senior captains that were very passionate about their program and their teammates. So, she learned a lot, as well as having her own role as a captain last year.”

Despite previous experience, Dillon believes Lyman worked hard for the position.

“[Lyman]’s earned it, she stepped into the role,” she said. “Now with the addition of Olivia Ellis filling in as the assistant captain it’s a nice progression and it’s a natural flow and it seems to work for our program.”

MOVING FORWARD

Last season, Oswego State had its fewest double-digit scorers during the current roster’s tenure, and while the offense faltered, the defense failed to pick up the slack.

Senior Kendall Applebaum has already seen improvement during captain’s practices and preseason workouts.

“I can speak for everyone,” Applebaum said. “We’re stronger, faster than we ever have been and our freshmen are phenomenal. We’ve got some really good size that we’ve added to the blueline so it’s going to be exciting.”

According to Dillon, improvement needs to begin with the team’s offense. During the 2015-2016 season, the Lakers averaged just 2.20 goals per game, giving up more goals than they scored for the first time since 2013.

“We didn’t score enough off the rush, we got outshot, we spent more time in our [defensive] zone than we would like,” Dillon said. “So, we’re looking to really take things up a notch in terms of our intensity, the way we’re approaching the offense game, speed, some of the systems we’re going to run.”

FILLING GAPS

Scoring could be more difficult to come by this year. Forward Brianna Rice, the team’s third-leading scorer over the last two season, has transferred to the University of Western Ontario. Her offensive presence will be missed, but it just means others must step up.

“Losing someone like [Brianna Rice] in the middle and on the power play, it just makes all of us have to step up and fill that role as team and be accountable for us and fill that spot,” said senior forward Erika Truschke said.

On the back end, junior Mariah Madrigal is poised to take over full time as Oswego State’s net minder following the graduation of Tori Trovato. Her head coach hopes the Michigan-native can help the back end return to national prominence.

“It’s [Madrigal’s] net to start this year,” Dillon said. “She’s going to come in with a renewed confidence and be an excellent goaltender for us in all situations, but particularly the [penalty kill] will need her to come up big.”

With new captains, a new goalie and a renewed sense of confidence, the Lakers expect a lot from themselves this season.

“You can see already before we’ve even hit the ice that we really want it,” Dillon said. “So, I think the expectations are extremely high for the class of 2017.”