The Oswego State Lakers were victorious on their senior day against SUNY Potsdam by a score of 4-2. All four of the goals came from underclassmen, despite recognizing the seven seniors after the game. The Lakers will now head to Buffalo State next weekend on Feb. 24 for the first round of the Northeast Women’s Hockey League playoffs.

In a low-shot but high scoring first period, the Lakers scored on their first two shots of the game. The Bears scored two on five shots. Natalie Giglio and Victoria Rankin both scored for the Lakers. Olivia Ellis had an assist on both goals. The period would end in a 2-2 tie.

For the Bears, 25 seconds after the first goal from Giglio, Brenna Wilson scored an unassisted goal. A little over four minutes later, Natalie Wasielewski gave the Bears a goal advantage, which would be wiped out by Rankin a minute later.

“Nine shots in the game, four goals, that was new,” head coach Diane Dillon said. “I was happy to see that we came back answered after [the second goal they scored].”

During the second period, SUNY Potsdam was a little more undisciplined, committing two penalties. Lucy Condon was given two minutes for body checking, and Emily Burke was called for hooking.

Freshman defenseman Philomena Teggart was able to capitalize on the first power play with a wrist shot from the blue line. Emma Morisette was in front of Samantha White, the Bears’ goaltender, and screened the goaltender from seeing the puck. Jean-Marie Padden and Eryn Stewart were given the assists.

The goal was Teggart’s first of her career. She now has eight career points, adding seven assists. Dillon said she sees bright thing for the Pickering, Ontario, Canada, native. She let’s Teggart play through her mistakes in her first season at Oswego State.

“Philomena is one of those kids that’s got more talent than she understands,” Dillon said. “She’s in the position, that as a freshman she’s getting playing time. I think she is one of those kids that will only get better.”

Also noticeably in the second period was Julieann White getting thrown around by the Bears. In a couple of breakaway opportunities, she was arguably interfered with and checked a little harder than normal. However, Dillon was overly pleased with the officials’ calls on the ice, compared to previous games.

“I think they missed one or two, but they also let things go on our side,” Dillon said. “All I ask for is officials to be in position. If they call somewhat inconsistently for both teams, then fine.”

Oswego State kept puck possession primarily throughout the game. Despite being outshot 27-22 in the game, the Lakers held a shot advantage in the first twenty minutes. The Lakers were outshot only in the third period, similar what they did to SUNY Potsdam in the Friday matchup, according to Dillon.

“I thought we got better as the game went on, again a little bit of a slow start for us,” Dillon said. “We made some adjustments between the first and second period, and I think that really helped during the game. I think we’re seeing a young team learning how to adjust in-game in order to adapt and be successful.”

Also key during the game was the Lakers’ penalty kill, which went four for four throughout the game. The four penalties included a long five-on-three during the second period, which lasted for 1:18. Jordan Emerson was called for hooking at 12:45 of the second period, and Philomena Teggart was called for roughing at 13:27.

Laura Thacker was an instrumental part of the special teams unit after blocking several shots during the kills. Aislinn McAleer was also strong, and blocked a shot on the top of her skate. She could potentially have a broken foot, according to Dillon.

“We work on it every week, and now we’ve got the personnel in the right spots,” Dillon said. “It’s a buy-in from top to bottom, and that’s what we need to be successful.”

For the first time since 2015, when this senior class were freshmen, the Lakers were able to win on their senior day. Their last senior day win came against Stevenson University in a 5-2 victory. Last season, they tied 1-1 in overtime against William Smith College.

This year, the team graduates seven seniors: Olivia Ellis, Andrea Noss, Mariah Madrigal, Sarah Grupp, Victoria Blake, Laura Thacker and Monica Cramer. Ellis hit the 100-point club this season, the first player to do so in program history. She had an assist hat trick against the Bears tonight.

“I’m just so happy for the seniors and their families,” Dillon said. “It doesn’t matter what kind of athlete you are. It’s emotional. With hockey and the way it’s revered here at Oswego State, it’s a very lucky position they’re in. I think they start to realize it when it starts to come to an end.”

The Lakers, now riding the momentum of closing out their regular season with a win, will head to Buffalo State on Feb. 24 for the semifinal round of the NEWHL playoffs. The Bengals are 3-1 against the Lakers this season. SUNY Potsdam will head to Plattsburgh State on the same day for the other semifinal game.

“We have to have a good, focused week of practice,” Dillon said. “We know what they can do, we know what we can do. We’ll work throughout the week to execute it.”