Oswego State begins a two-game weekend series with NEWHL foe SUNY Cortland tonight at the Marano Campus Center Ice Arena. The Red Dragons are off to a 2-3-1 start, with a 0-3-1 league record. SUNY Cortland has had a tough time putting the puck in the net, scoring only eight goals in six games.

Oswego State has also had a tough time scoring. Their first two league games against Buffalo State yielded only three goals. Luckily for the Lakers, junior goalie Rachael Farmer was able to stand strong in net. In her first two games in a Laker uniform, Farmer posted two shutouts.

Farmer was a member of the SUNY Cortland program for two years, before deciding to transfer to Oswego State. In her time at SUNY Cortland, Farmer stopped 90.2 save percentage and had a 2.90 goals against average. These numbers are even more impressive looking at the team that was around her. SUNY Cortland only scored 1.62 goals per game during Farmer’s time there.

With SUNY Cortland still struggling from the offensive end, the Lakers will look to keep an aggressive attack. However, the Red Dragons goalie play has remained solid even with the departure of Farmer.

Last Time Out

Oswego State

The Lakers squeaked out a 1-0 win over Buffalo State to improve to 4-0 for just the second time in school history. Their lone goal came off the stick of freshman Avery Webster, who now has three goals and two assists through five games in a Laker uniform. She also was named to d3hockey.com’s Team of the Week for her game-winner. The aforementioned Farmer was a brick wall in net. She posted 34 saves and her second shutout in as many days. Farmer also earned NEWHL Goalie of the Week and Oswego State Female Athlete of the Week for her efforts. Besides solid goaltending, the biggest story of last weekend was the Lakers’ inability to score. All three goals came in the third period last weekend against Buffalo State.

SUNY Cortland

SUNY Cortland is coming off of a 1-1 tie last weekend against SUNY Potsdam. The game before, the Red Dragons lost 2-1 once again against SUNY Potsdam. SUNY Cortland goaltender Victoria Gibson stopped 29 out of the 30 shots she faced. The team’s lone goal came from Katie DeVoe in the first period. The lack of offensive production has been a common theme for the Red Dragons this season.

By The Numbers

Record (Conference)

OSW: 4-0-0 (2-0-0)

COR: 2-3-1 (0-3-1)

Goals (Per Game)

OSW: 18 (4.5)

COR: 8 (1.3)

Shots (Per Game)

OSW: 213 (53.3)

COR: 147 (24.5)

Power Play (Percentage)

OSW: 2-17 (11.8%)

COR: 2-17 (11.8%)

Keys to the Game

Oswego State

The Lakers need to score early and often tonight. They went the entire weekend without a first or second-period goal against Buffalo State. This will have to change if they want long-term success. Shutouts from goaltending should not be expected on a nightly basis. The veteran leaders on this team have a lot to prove this weekend against SUNY Cortland.

SUNY Cortland

The Red Dragons need to find some source of offense. Senior Samantha Pippin has four points and DeVoe has three goals to lead the team, but other than that it has been hard to find the net. With the Lakers’ goaltending crew that already has three shutouts this year, it will be even tougher for SUNY Cortland to score. If Farmer is in net against her former team, the Red Dragons will have a mountain to climb this weekend.

Players to WatchOSW: Jean-Marie Padden

Padden’s name has yet to find the box score for the Lakers this season. And that is a big surprise. In her freshman year last season, Padden was second on the team with nine goals. Although she has not tallied a point, the chances have been there. Padden ranks second on the team with 24 shots. If anyone is due, it is Padden. Look for her name to make its first appearance in the scoring column this weekend.

COR: Katie DeVoe

DeVoe leads SUNY Cortland with three goals this season and will be needed for the Red Dragons all weekend. The biggest problem for DeVoe has been staying on the ice. She has totalled five penalties for 10 minutes so far. If SUNY Cortland wants a shot this weekend, they’ll need their sophomore goals leader to step it up big time.

Final Thoughts

From a numbers standpoint, the Lakers have the edge. They have more than doubled the Red Dragon’s shots per game and scored 4.5 goals per game compared to SUNY Cortland’s 1.3.

Both teams have struggled mightily on the power play, going 2-17 so far this season. Whichever team can finally convert these chances will have a leg up this series.

Tonight’s game is sure to be an emotional one for the Lakers. Their first home league game represents the annual “Pink the Rink” night for breast cancer awareness. It also will be the first game for Farmer against her former team. All the pieces seem to be in line for a huge Oswego State victory.

Photo: Maria Pericozzi | The Oswegonian