Last Time Out

The Oswego State Lakers women’s hockey team went against Castleton University on Oct. 28, coming out on top 3-2 in an overtime victory. Sophomore Kate Randazzo scored the game-winning goal for the Lakers only 4:21 into the overtime period. Senior Mariah Madrigal stopped 14 of the 16 shots she faced. Oswego State went 1-4 on the power play.

This will be Elmira College’s first regular season game, this season. They are entering their season ranked No. 4 by U.S College Hockey Online and No. 5 by D3Hockey. The Soaring Eagles lost in the ECAC West Championships last year to then-No. 1 Plattsburgh State and in the NCAA Div. III Tournament to then-No. 2 Adrian College.

Lakers vs. Elmira History

The Lakers and Soaring Eagles will be meeting for the twenty-third time today, since the 2006-2007 season. Due to be conference rivals, both teams played each other at least twice in one season. Oswego State fell to Elmira College in the ECAC West Championship in 2014 by a score of 0-3.

Last season, the Lakers lost to the Soaring Eagles 0-4, and then came back with a tie the next day 2-2. Former Laker Jacqueline White scored both goals for the team. Amber Samonek had 38 saves in goal the second game. Madrigal had 18 in the first battle.

Oswego State, since head coach Diane Dillon’s revival of the team in 2006-2007, has never beaten Elmira College. The closest they have come are two ties, the second tie coming from the 2010-2011 season. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the worst loss came from the 2009-2010 season, where the Lakers lost 0-9.

Looking at Elmira

Elmira College is bringing back a bulk of their team this season, only losing five seniors last year. They’re also bringing back their top eight scorers from last season. Leading scorer, junior Maddie Evangelous, is returning as well, after a 28-point season her sophomore year. Juniors Katie Granato and Maddy Jerolman, and senior Louisa Lippiatt Durnell all return as well, after 27-point seasons.

The team graduated Kyle Nelson, who took 12 of the team’s starting nods last year. She had one shutout, with a .926 percent save percentage. However, senior Kelcey Crawford, who started 16 games last season, will be returning. She will most likely be taking the start over her two backup goaltenders.

Player Spotlight

OSW: Kate Randazzo

Randazzo is currently leading the team in assists and points with four assists, and five total points. The sophomore is having a breakout season, after scoring one goal and seven assists all last season. She will be riding some major momentum after scoring the game-winning goal against Castleton University on Oct. 28. The defenseman also has two blocks, which leads the team.

ELM: Maddie Evangelous

All eyes will be on Evangelous after watching her dominance in both her freshman and sophomore years. With 23 and 28 points respectively, she was named an assistant captain this year, for her junior year. She was named the ECAC West All-Rookie team her freshman year and was on the All-Academic team last year. In her career, Evangelous has one goal and three assists against the Lakers.

By the Numbers

RECORD (vs. each other)

OSW: 2-0-0 (0-21-2)

*ELM: 0-0-0 (21-0-2)

SHOTS (per game)

OSW: 97 (48.5)

*ELM: 1013 (36.2)

GOALS (per game)

OSW: 8 (4.0)

*ELM: 102 (3.64)

POWER PLAY

OSW: 5-11 (45.5%)

*ELM: 23-115 (20.0%)

*Elmira’s stats are from their 2016-2017 season

Prediction

It’s no secret that Elmira College is a top team in both the ECAC West and the national rankings. The team is ranked No. 4/5 before they have even started their season. With top scorers and goaltenders returning, the Lakers will have an uphill battle against a former conference rival.

Oswego State will have to really fight for this one, as their history against Elmira doesn’t prove well, never having beaten the Soaring Eagles in 11 seasons. Madrigal will also most likely face the most shots, so far, this season. After a seven-save shutout against New England College and a 14-save overtime victory over Castleton, she’ll have to adjust to a team that had 36.2 shots per game last year.

Given new players for the Lakers, as well as some returning players who are having outbreak seasons, this game might be a little closer than games in the past.

Lakers lose 1-4.