Oswego State lost the second of a two-game series with Williams College on Sunday, finishing a week with three games with a 0-3 record. Sunday’s contest ended in a 4-1 victory for the Ephs. The Lakers are now 9-10-3 and have a losing record for the first time this season.

The game had a similar start from the beginning with an early goal by Williams College by Amanda Reisman. The goal came on a two-on-one breakaway where the Lakers had a tough time getting back on defense due to an aggressive offensive mindset.

“We certainly wanted to try some things out offensively,” Dillon said. “In a non-conference game, we can try some things to get ready for playoffs. We were being a little bit more aggressive out front with our forecheck.”

However, unlike yesterday’s game, the Lakers would settle in. The second period saw a goal by Jean-marie Padden, her sixth of the season. The goal was assisted by Eryn Stewart and Kate Randazzo. Randazzo’s pass went perfectly to the stick of Padden, and she hammered it home.

Unfortunately for the Lakers, it would be Williams College taking back the lead on a goal from Abby Brustad, her second of the weekend. Cassie Shokar was peppered with 18 shots in the second period alone, but she was able to stop 17 of them. Both of the Ephs goals came with Oswego State’s defense in a bad position in front of the net, leaving Shokar out to dry.

The third period was the strength for the Lakers last night but would be their downfall on Sunday. Williams College scored two more goals to finish the game with a 4-1 victory.

“I think someone lit a fire under the butts of the Williams players and they really came out flying,” Dillon said. “We were trying to roll four lines to keep people fresh, but I think on defense we started to run out of gas. At times there were a couple lazy penalties and that hurt us.”

Even in the loss, Oswego State looked to be more in control of themselves in terms of puck possession and scoring chances.

The Lakers will have a short time to erase the losses this weekend, as they have a huge NEWHL matchup against SUNY Cortland on Wednesday night. That game could have a major impact on seeding for the NEWHL playoffs, as Oswego State sits in fourth place but could move all the way to the second seed depending on how its final three games go. Wednesday’s game will be the fourth game the Lakers have played in seven days, and they will look to snap their current three-game slide.

“If we bring the type of intensity we brought the third period yesterday and a good portion against Cortland? They won’t be able to skate with us,” Dillon said. “We can’t play down to our opponent. We have to be ready with that playoff mentality.”