After a 4-3 loss in an exhibition game against the Toronto Midget Aeros, the Oswego State women’s hockey team is ready to begin their regular season. The Lakers will begin their campaign on Friday against New England College.

This weekend, the Lakers will also play Castleton University on Oct. 28. After the loss to Toronto, head coach Diane Dillon was able to figure out some changes she needed to make to the lineup.

“We’ve made a couple adjustments this week based on what we saw,” Dillon said. “The overall game plan and what we’re trying to execute will be the same.”

The Lakers started their season with the Pilgrims last year, as well. Oswego State came out victorious 6-2 last season at New England in Henniker, New Hampshire. The Lakers had a four-goal third period to secure the victory.

“We want to have an excellent effort. The expectation is 110 percent effort,” Dillon said. “We’re hoping to have success against them again. They have a new coach this year, a coach with a lot of experience, but we want to make sure we’re focusing on our side of the puck more.”

During the exhibition, Dillon said that the team “stumbled” a little bit in the third period and she wants the team to be more consistent throughout the game. She wants to focus on the basics, being sure not to turn the puck over as often.

There is a different feeling from senior Olivia Ellis, however, who will be playing in the last season opener of her Laker career. She came away with one assist during the game last year against New England College.

“There’s definitely going to be some emotions, some happy, some sad,” Ellis said. “With that being said, I think most of the seniors are excited to get the season going. I think that it’s our year and our time and go for a national championship.”

After the game against New England College, the team will come back not even 24 hours later to play their second home game against the Castleton University Spartans. The Lakers also won against the Spartans last year, 4-3. Ellis notched a goal and three assists in that game. Without a full practice in between games, adjustments will have to be made quickly.

“The adjustments have to be made based on that night,” Dillon said. “If we make adjustments, we have to discuss it, show them film. We don’t actually get to practice it.”

Last week, Castleton University lost at Plattsburgh State in an exhibition game 6-1. Castleton University will also be sporting a new head coach, Ashley Salerno. She is replacing DJ Fimiani after his resignation at the conclusion of last year.

“Castleton will come in with a strong effort, so we don’t know exactly what to expect,” Dillon said. “We certainly have film from them last year and previous years, but with a new coach you never know what kind of systems they are implementing.”

Saturday night will also be about more than just hockey. The women’s team, along with the men’s team, will be hosting their third annual TEAL Night. As always, the teams will be sporting teal hockey jerseys in support of ovarian cancer awareness. The teams will also be remembering Mary Gosek, who passed away due to ovarian cancer this summer.

“Mary was a part of our team, and one of the things we always talk about is the Laker hockey family, and Mary is part of our family,” Dillon said. “She has been from day one when I stepped onto this campus in 2006.”

Gosek was one of the key factors in making sure Oswego State would receive a women’s hockey team. She fought for the team’s equal attention and support. Dillon said to honor Gosek is considered a badge of honor.

“It’ll give us a little more push and fight because Mary was such a wonderful woman,” Ellis said. “When we’re tired, we’ll just remember Mary and go that extra step.”

The Lakers start their 2017-2018 campaign on Oct. 27 against New England College at 7 p.m. and then follow up on Oct. 28 against Castleton University at 3 p.m. Both games are at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena.

Photo: Taylor Woods | The Oswegonian