The Oswego State women’s hockey team has improved to a record of 4-2-1, after defeating SUNY Canton by a score of 2-1. It was a hard fought game by both sides and was not pretty, but it was a win that the Lakers needed, after tying SUNY Cortland last game.

In the first period, SUNY Canton came out very aggressive, which head coach Diane Dillon said she expected before the game since the Kangaroos have yet to win a game this season. The first period was defensively dominant period for both teams.

Freshman Tia Trovato got her first career start in net for the Lakers and kept her team in the game even though she only faced three shots in the first period and 15 overall. Oswego State was not much better, as it managed to get five shots on goal in the first frame. Dillon was impressed by the freshman’s debut in net for the Lakers.

“We’re thrilled for her,” Dillon said. “She’s been working hard and being patient. She was prepared, ready to go, and I thought she did a nice job.”

Some players that stood out for the Lakers was freshman Megan Teachout, who had three good offensive opportunities, but was not able to find the back of the net, despite adding an assist. Also, senior Eryn Stewart impressed on the penalty kill, as she was able to force three SUNY Canton turnovers.

The second period was a completely different story for Oswego State, as it was able to take advantage of four power play opportunities to give itself a two goal lead.

The Lakers first goal came 5:00 into the second, where Morgan Shines was able to tap the puck into the net off a rebound from Kyleigh Grugin just after their first power play ended.

Oswego State’s next goal came eleven minutes later at 16:32 on the power play, as Grugin scored top shelf, after Megan Teachout made a beautiful pass to her from the other side of the net. 

Throughout the rest of the period, Oswego State did a good job blocking shots and controling the puck offensively. Dillon was pleased with her team’s better play in the second period.

“We came out flat and weren’t seeming to playing with any jump or passion,” Dillon said. “We knew we had forty minutes to turn up the heat, and I felt we did that in the second period.”

The third period did not result in any Oswego State goals and saw the team regress to how it played in the first period. Megan Teachout once again had three breakaway opportunities, but it just was not her night in terms of putting the puck in the net.

However, defensively the Lakers looked pretty solid, as they did a great job blocking shots. That did not help, as SUNY Canton was able to generate a five-on-three power play, where at 6:23 into the third, Sarah Kosnaskie was able to convert for the Kangaroos’ first power play goal of the season.

When SUNY Canton cut the lead in half, it seemed like this could result in a similar fate the Lakers experienced against SUNY Cortland. That goal really lit a spark for Oswego State’s defense, as it limited turnovers and played more aggressive than it did in the third period against the Red Dragons. This resulted in the team winning its fourth game of the season.

Dillon saw a big difference from how the team played defensively at the end of the third period.

“We did little things that we had to do,” Dillon said. “Our defensemen pressured well below the dots and didn’t really let them set up too much. Cortland really got the puck to the net against us, but Canton wasn’t able to do that tonight.”

The Lakers will travel to Potsdam tomorrow afternoon, as they hope to get a win streak going against SUNY Potsdam. Puck is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Photo By Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian