Matt Zawadzki and David Jacobson have split starts in goal for the Oswego State men’s ice hockey team and so far it has been a success. Zawadzki has started and won both of Oswego State’s home games while Jacobson is 3-0 in his three road starts this season.

Sophomore goaltender Jacobson is off to a good start in his Oswego State career after transferring from Arizona State University. In his three starts Jacobson is undefeated while posting a save percentage of .939. Jacobson said it has been a smooth transition coming to Oswego State, thanks to the support of the players and coaching staff.

“The transition process has been great,” Jacobson said. “I’ve been welcomed immediately by my teammates and welcomed immediately by the coaches. Coming here and having a great goalie like [Matt Zawadzki] and Cedric [Hansen] to battle with has been an awesome process.”

As a freshman, Jacobson was putting up decent numbers at Arizona State University but left because he felt he was not getting enough opportunities to play. He came to Oswego State knowing he would be getting that opportunity by splitting starts with Zawadzki and earning his spot in net.

“Our team is very strong in goal,” Jacobson said. “No one wants to have anything handed to them, so coming here and splitting time is something I expected. [Matt Zawadzki] is a great goalie, Cedric is a great goalie, so us having that rotation is just better for the team. Whatever it takes for the team to win that’s what we’re going to do.”

In his senior year as a Laker, Zawadzki has started the season strong going 2-0-0 with a save percentage of .902 in his first two starts. Zawadzki knows that he and Jacobson are playing well in net so he accepts the two-goalie situation and knows that when he gets the opportunity to play he’s going to do the best he can.

“[The two-goalie system is] going well, we’re both playing well so coach is giving us both an opportunity,” Zawadzki said. “As a competitor you want to play every night, but I understand that there’s more guys in that room capable of getting the job done. When your name is called you go out there and give it your best.”

Zawadzki is a shutout away from becoming the all-time leader in Oswego State history. He is excited to try to get that record, but his focus is on playing hard and winning games.

“[The shutout record] is a great achievement, there’s a lot of great players that have played here so to be able to accomplish a feat like that personally is exciting,” Zawadzki said. “Every game I got to play I go out and play hard and if I happen to get another shutout that’s great. If not as long as we’re getting the wins that’s what we’re doing right now.”

One of the guys helping Zawadzki and Jacobson succeed is Adrian Ignagni. Ignagni was a goaltender for the Lakers last year, but had to stop playing due to concussion issues. Now he helps the goaltenders out in goalie sessions during practice.

“Having a goalie coach at all of our games, tracking every shot and even at practice two to three times a week has been magnificent,” Jacobson said. “I don’t know what else you would want as a goalie to have constantly on the ice with you than your goalie coach.”

Zawadzki played with Ignagni last season and has that chemistry with him already, so having him as a goalie coach is also helpful for the senior Zawadzki.

“Having Adrian is great,” Zawadzki said. “We played together last season so we have that kind of chemistry already. Having him there every day is helpful, he gives us that extra insight as a goaltender himself.”

So far this season the Lakers are 5-0-0 and combined Zawadzki and Jacobson have a .927 save percentage. Having two goaltenders capable of winning games and stopping shots is a good problem to have for the Lakers’ coaching staff. No matter who starts in net for the Oswego State Lakers, the players know they are going to get a good performance .