The Oswego State women’s hockey team has improved to 6-2-1, after beating SUNY Cortland at home by a score of 3-2. After a week-long break for Thanksgiving, the Lakers won their third game in a row. 

In the first period, SUNY Cortland kept control of the puck to start out the period. Oswego State struggled to exit its defensive zone, which led to the team only managing to get one shot on goal in the first seven minutes of the first period.

SUNY Cortland’s puck possession in the offensive zone led to a power play opportunity, where Grace Schnorr scored at 9:11 into the first period from Amanda Gaffney and Dany Donegan. Rachael Farmer was playing well until this point, when the goal by Schnorr seemed to just get past her glove to make its way into the net. Associate head coach Mark Digby noticed it was not a common goal for Farmer to let up. 

“The puck kind of bobbled off some kid’s stick, so I’m wondering if she had trouble tracking it because of that,” Digby said. “I think that’s certainly one that she’d like to have back, and we know that we can count on her to make those saves if we really need them.”

Heading into the second period, the Lakers looked like a completely different team offensively. Oswego State came out more aggressive, with Megan Teachout getting a shot on goal in the first shift off the opening faceoff. 

More offensive zone time led to an early power play for the Lakers and at 5:10 into the second, Philomena Teggart set up Teachout for a one-timer to tie the game. With this goal, Oswego State has scored on the power play in each of their last five games. Digby sees how the power play unit is starting to gel.

“We’re just trying to let each of them play to their strengths,” Digby said. “They moved pucks around and got pucks to the net when they needed to. Certainly the goal was a heavy shot from the right handed shooter, and it was good.”

Oswego State’s tie with Cortland did not last long as Cortland responded at 8:32 with Katelinn Cummings scoring from the point off of a slap shot that managed to get through Farmer’s legs. 

Despite the 2-1 deficit, Oswego State was able to battle with SUNY Cortland through the rest of the period, with both teams getting plenty of offensive opportunities. Towards the end of the second, at 16:57, Oswego State was able to capitalize on one of those opportunities, as Aislinn McAleer tied the game once again, after she was able to tap in a rebound off of a Kate Randazzo shot. 

The third period was the same story, as both teams continued to play aggressive and the Lakers capitalized early in the third period. Morgan Shines gave the Lakers their first lead at 5:36 via a set up from Natalie Giglio from behind the net. 

One thing that was impressive from the Lakers was that they managed to get a variety of goal scorers, as three players from three different lines scored goals. Oswego State head coach Diane Dillon was very happy to see the depth scoring.

“It’s fantastic when everybody on the team is a part of what we’re doing here,” Dillon said. “They’re getting regular shifts, they’re part of the team and that has always been kind of a hallmark of Oswego hockey. We bring kids in that are going to play.”

The rest of the third period, Farmer made some incredible saves that contributed to the Lakers maintaining their lead. It was very apparent that from the way Oswego State finished the game, they did not want a repeat of their last game against the Red Dragons in which SUNY Cortland managed to score three unanswered goals to force a 3-3 tie.

The Lakers will travel to Canton on Friday as they will take on SUNY Canton, where the Lakers will look to get their second win against the Kangaroos. Puck is scheduled to drop at 4:00 p.m.

Photo By Nicole Hube | The Oswegonian