Last Time Out

The Oswego State Lakers and Buffalo State Bengals went head to head on Nov. 11 in the first of two games during the weekend series. The Lakers came out on top 3-0, with one goal in each period. Senior Olivia Ellis scored the final goal for the team in a 2-on-1 breakaway opportunity, for which she took herself.

Senior Mariah Madrigal made 33 saves to preserve the shutout, her second of the season and tenth of her career. Both senior Andrea Noss and sophomore Julieann White made returns to the lineup after injuries sustained in the pre-season and offseason.

Lakers vs. Buffalo State History

The history between the Lakers and Bengals became even more storied after the Saturday matchup. The Lakers are now 18-6-1 against the Bengals since the 2006-2007 season. This was the first time the Lakers shutout the Bengals since the 2013-2014 season, where Oswego State shut-out Buffalo State 3-0 both on Jan. 18 and Jan. 19.

Looking at Buffalo State

During the game on Nov. 11, Justine Silva, goaltender for Buffalo State, went down with an apparent leg injury. She was tended to by trainers, and helped off the ice not able to put any pressure on her leg. Rachel Lenard, who was a former Laker, had no success against her former team after scoring four goals against them since joining the Bengals.

The Bengals are now 1-4 overall, and 1-2 in conference. The Bengals lost to SUNY Potsdam once, and Oswego State once, so far, for their conference losses. This was Buffalo State’s first shutout loss since the beginning of the season against Morrisville State on Oct. 27, where they lost 2-0.

Player Spotlight

OSW: Mariah Madrigal

Madrigal made her second shutout of the season against Buffalo State on Nov. 11. After 33 saves, including a 14-save first period, the senior claimed the tenth shutout of her career. Madrigal now has a 2-2 all-time record against the Bengals. She has started all four games for the Lakers this season, and will most likely take the fifth start before head coach Diane Dillon will put in backup goaltender Amber Samonek next weekend.

BUF: Erin Gehen

Gehen led the Bengals with eight shots throughout the game. She had four shots in the first period, with adding two more shots in the second and third period each. The senior currently has one goal after a 2-1 loss against Morrisville State. She has 42 goals in her career, and will look to be scoring her second of the season against Oswego State. She was also a factor on defense, blocking two shots against the Lakers.

By the Numbers

RECORD [conference] (vs. each other)

OSW: 3-1-0 [1-0-0] (18-6-1)

BUF: 1-4-0 [1-2-0] (6-18-1)

SHOTS (per game)

OSW: 142 (35.5)

BUF: 144 (28.8)

GOALS (per game)

OSW: 12 (3.0)

BUF: 5 (1.0)

POWER PLAY (%)

OSW: 5-23 (21.7%)

BUF: 1-20 (5.0%)

Lines

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Prediction

The Oswego State Lakers gained momentum after their first conference win against Buffalo State. They’ll be looking for the second conference win. However, according to Dillon, Buffalo State is not a team that will back down easily. Dillon expects them to come out firing more than they were on Nov. 11.

The Lakers now know what to expect for Buffalo State. With the possibility of Silva being scratched, that is one less obstacle that they are facing as they prepare for the second matchup. To secure a victory, Oswego State will once again need to figure out the Bengals’ penalty kill, as they maintain a perfect record. Even strength alone might not be enough.

Lakers win 3-2.