Oswego State begins its regular season and also its four-game road trip with a stop in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, against King’s College.

Last season, King’s College struggled going 0-22-1 in its inaugural season for women’s hockey. However, that 0-22-1 is in the back of the Monarchs’ minds now as last night, as they earned their first ever victory. King’s College knocked off first-year program Wilkes University 3-1.

By the Numbers

Record

OSW: 1-0-0

KC: 1-0-0

Goals (Goals per Game)

OSW: 4 (4.0)

KC: 3 (3.0)

Shots (Shots per Game)

OSW: 19 (19.0)

KC: 30 (30.0)

Power Play (Percentage)

OSW: 1-2 (50%)

KC: 1-4 (25%)

Keys to the Game:

Oswego State

The biggest key to a victory for the Lakers will be puck control. Sloppy passing last weekend against the London Jr. Devilettes made the final score a lot closer than it should have been. The penalty kill for the Lakers got off to a slow start, allowing a power play goal in the first period before settling in and stopping the London power play the rest of the way.

King’s College

Although it was a 3-1 victory last night, King’s College did not make it pretty. Eleven penalties for 22 minutes makes it virtually impossible to win a hockey game, but the Monarchs were able to pull it off. Against a much faster and deeper Oswego State team, King’s College cannot afford 11 penalties. Seven of those penalties came in the second period. King’s college was able to kill all 11 penalties. The Monarchs have to cut down on penalties if they want to keep this close.

Player to Watch:

Oswego State: Emma Morisette

Morisette scored the Lakers’ first goal this season en route to a 4-3 victory in their first and only exhibition. She was seemingly all over the ice making plays on both ends. After a 13-point season last year, the Lakers will need Morisette’s leadership on the ice. The only negatives for Morisette last weekend were the two big penalties she committed. If she can stay on the ice, she is dangerous enough to make a big play at any moment.

King’s College: Gracen Mahoney

The Monarchs’ captain assisted on the first two goals last night against Wilkes University. The Lakers need to have eyes on her at all times. She also totaled six shots on goal but was unable to find the net. Mahoney found the net four times last year while only adding one assist. The sophomore has already doubled her assist total in one game this season.

Final Thoughts

Oswego State should be able to win this game handily. Its defense looked solid the second and third periods last weekend, and look for it to stay that way this afternoon. However, as head coach Diane Dillon reminded us throughout the week, no opponent should be taken for granted. As far as this season goes, King’s College is 1-0.

One final point to watch will be how Dillon manages goaltending. All four goalies played in the exhibition, but it will most likely be more of a traditional starter today. It will be a storyline to follow all season long, and it begins today.

The Lakers should have plenty of opportunities to cash in on the power play, and that could be a major difference this afternoon. Oswego State should roll comfortably against King’s College.

Photo: Maria Pericozzi | The Oswegonian