After a dramatic underdog exhibition win over the London Jr. Devilettes last weekend, the Lakers women’s ice hockey team will hit the road to Pennsylvania for two games this weekend, and look forward to two games against NEWHL rival Buffalo State in western New York.

The two Pennsylvania games represent some interesting opponents. The King’s College Lady Monarchs are only in their second year of play. After an 0-22-1 inaugural season record, the Monarchs look to put one in the win column this year.

King’s College was also outscored by a whopping 151-16 goals overall. Even against such a young program, Lakers head coach Diane Dillon is sure to not overlook them.

“The parody in women’s hockey is getting better every day. On any night, any team can win. You have to be able to execute,” Dillon said. “We’re focusing on our side of the puck and making sure that we do what we need to do.”

The Lakers should be able to win this game handily, but as Dillon said, it is more about focusing on cleaning up the Lakers side of things, like sloppy passing. Dillon said the team will use this coming weekend to touch that up.

For Saturday’s matchup, the Lakers will meet another young program, the Wilkes University Colonels. Wilkes is in its first year as a Div. III program in both men’s and women’s ice hockey. The Colonels were set to begin play last season, but, due to a lack of players, had to push back to the 2018-19 season. This season, there are only nine players listed on the roster, two of which are goaltenders. With the depth Oswego State has, it could bring many headaches to Wilkes.

The third stop on the Lakers road trip will not begin until next weekend, but it will present the biggest challenge of the young season. It is a two-game road trip to Buffalo State, the first NEWHL conference game for the Lakers. Although Buffalo State lost five of their top six scorers and their starting goaltender, any matchup between the Lakers and Bengals is sure to come down to the wire.

Buffalo State went 3-1 against Oswego State in the regular season last year, but ultimately, the Lakers had the final say in a 5-0 win on Buffalo State’s home ice in the NEWHL semifinals. Even though it is a new look from both teams, the rivalry is always there in Dillon’s eyes.

“You know Buffalo is going to be gunning for us. They have a new coach, they graduated all of their top scoring and their goaltending. So, they’re going to be a new team just like we are,” Dillon said. “They’re our first league game, so, obviously, they’re important. It’s a rivalry that’s been generated over the past few years, and it’s been fun.”

Although Buffalo State is a task to focus on for next week, it is still in the back of the Lakers’ minds.

The most important dynamic of any road trip is the leadership shown by upperclassmen. As 11 of Oswego State’s 22 players will make their first road trip, Dillon expressed the importance of veteran leaders.

“Their job is to lead the way. One of the elements of our mission statement is that we’re leaving a legacy,” Dillon said. “One of the elements of this is making sure that those that come behind you understand what Laker hockey is all about.”

Junior defenseman Kate Randazzo understands her role as one of the most seasoned players on the team. The upperclassmen had a similar take on what to tell the freshmen as they embark on their first road trip.

“[We tell them to] try to keep it normal,” Randazzo said. “The only difference is we’re going to take a bus there.”

As one of only two seniors on the team, forward Victoria Rankin understands her role as a leader.

“I try to calm their nerves. Just trying to get them to settle into their roles a little bit more,” Rankin said.

With such a young core of players and a new team, chemistry is another element that will factor into the Lakers’ journey.

“With so many new players, it’s important we use these two games this weekend to work together as a team and come together as a team. And I think we will,” Randazzo said.

Going on the road for college games is certainly a change of pace for first-year players, and unlike travel teams, it is only one game per day instead of the usual two to three games per day. That transition is another thing Dillon looks for in her young athletes.

“It’s a good early indication of where we are. It’s an introduction for half the team of what the collegiate pace is and what the expectations are,” Dillon said. “We have a lot more mental preparation and video preparation, making sure you’re getting enough rest and nutrition, taking care of yourself as a student-athlete”.

With all the new faces in the Oswego State locker room, a road trip to start the season is not always ideal. But, according to Dillon, it is always a good way to come together.

“We want to come together as a team, as a family,” Dillon said. “And going on the road is a good way to do that.”

Photo by Maria Pericozzi | The Oswegonian