The Oswego State Lakers women’s hockey team is entering this weekend with a chance to clinch an NCAA tournament berth, something they have not done in the history of the program. A major contributor to the success of the Lakers this season is senior goalie Mariah Madrigal. Last season, she was awarded the starting job and proved to the coaching staff she was the right choice. In 22 games played, she accumulated a 13-7-1 record with a save percentage of .925.  This season, she took the next step as a senior and became a leader on a team with 15 underclassmen.

Entering the season, Madrigal’s leadership qualities were recognized by head coach Diane Dillon, who gave her one of three alternate captain roles. This is a real testament to Madrigal as a person considering the fact it is generally rare to see a goalie wear a letter on their jersey.

“We have had a captain as a goalie before,” Dillon said. “Bridget Smith wore a ‘C’ on her jersey a few years ago [but] it is rare. It is not about the position, it’s about the person. Mariah is one of our seniors and a member of our leadership council along with Andrea Noss and Kate Randazzo.”

Tori Trovato was also a captain goaltender for the women’s ice hockey team in 2015-2016.

Aside from leadership, Madrigal brings many more intangibles to the table. She is competitive and takes her job very seriously. This is evident when people watch her play, as she cannot stand giving up a single goal and expects to make a save on every shot.

“[Madrigal] is one of those kids that work really hard, so when you see her in practice she treats it like a game,” Dillon said. “She is making big saves and getting frustrated if things aren’t going her way. If she is getting beat by her teammates, you better not come into her crease because you might feel it on the back of your ankles. She’s a competitor and she adds a real element of grit and intensity to our practices, especially as a goaltender.”

Although she competes hard every time she laces up her skates, there was a time earlier this season when she could not compete. On Nov. 18, Madrigal was helped off the ice after making a save against the Plattsburgh State Cardinals. That was the last time she would start for Oswego State until Jan. 12, as she was held out of action due to a knee injury. For Madrigal, the injury was tough. The timing of it, during her senior year, was less than ideal as was the intensity of the injury.

“It was tough [to miss time], but I knew if I worked hard in rehab I’d come back and that was my main goal, to come back and finish off my senior year,” Madrigal said.

Dillon also commented on Madrigal’s strength during a long rehab session.

“[Madrigal] showed a lot of discipline and dedication in how hard she worked to get back into the lineup,” Dillon said. “She had a pretty good knee injury, and for her to come back the way she did in the time frame she did [was very impressive]… When you are used to a team sport, it is difficult to go through [rehab] because it is usually by yourself. She showed a lot of heart to get back.”

Despite the struggle of rehab, Madrigal came back better than ever. In her first game back, she made 16 saves in a 4-1 victory over SUNY Potsdam. Since her comeback, Madrigal has earned two shutouts, one against SUNY Cortland and the other against Buffalo State. The game against Buffalo State was no ordinary game. It was a 5-0 victory in the NEWHL semifinals, and Madrigal made an impressive 24 in the game. As good as she was, Madrigal was more than willing to share her success with her teammates.

“[The team] made my job easier. No breakaways, just easy straight shots,” Madrigal said. “They picked up the rebounds when I let some out. It was a good win.”

Now, with the team’s sights set on Plattsburgh State in the NEWHL championship game, the Lakers will have to rely on the leaders that brought them there, including Madrigal.

“[In the] championship game your best players need to be your best players,” Dillon said. “We absolutely need Mariah to come through. We need our captains to come through, we need our leaders to come through, and our senior class.”

Madrigal was a need all season for the Lakers as it goes to show she was named NEWHL Goalie of the Year this week.

Photo: Taylor Woods | The Oswegonian