Oswego State gets shut out by Amherst College 3-0 and now have a record of 7-3-1 heading into the winter break.
Oswego State was able to get off to a good start in the first period. As a team, the Lakers were getting good shots on goal and was not allowing Amherst College to keep control of the puck, especially in its offensive zone.
Oswego State was able to fight off its first penalty kill, but the second penalty kill resulted in an Amherst College power play goal from Anne Malloy at 13:48 into the first period.
Oswego State finished the first period without scoring a goal, which seems to be a trend with this Lakers team, as they get off to a slow start. Associate head coach Mark Digby gives credit to Amherst College’s defense for how well it played in the first period.
“Different games, different reason,” Digby said. “I thought today they came out well in the first period. They were pretty good on the forecheck and probably played their best defensive hockey in the first period, which took opportunities away from us.”
In the second period, the Lakers came out a lot more aggressive and with a lot more energy. The first line that featured Megan Teachout, Amber Thomas and Eryn Stewart had multiple opportunities to tie the game. However, the pucks were not bouncing Oswego State’s way. Strong play in net from Rachael Farmer kept the game close, as she was able to fight off three Amherst College power play chances. Digby expressed how Farmer greatly contributed to keeping the game close.
“She stopped the ones that she saw and the ones that we really needed her to,” Digby said. “Farmer tracked the puck really well and just competed from start to finish.”
The Lakers were able to carry that same energy they had into the third period by moving the puck better to create offensive chances. The energy led to an impressive forecheck, making it tough for Amherst College to create offensive chances.
However, at 11:28 into the third, Anne Malloy was able to tip in a puck off a rebond to score her second goal of the game and give the Mammoths a 2-0 lead.
With little time to go in the third period, Oswego State pulled Farmer in favor of an extra skater, but sophomore goaltender Caitlin Walker did not let any shots get past her. Digby complimented the young goalie when discussing how she played against them in net and how he thought she was really dialled in.
“She is really good,” Digby said. “Give her a lot of credit. She takes up a lot of the net. In the first there were a lot of shots that I don’t think she saw until they were a stick length in front of her. She deserved the shutout with the way that she played today.”
Even though the Lakers did not win today, they played a hard fought game. Bounces did not fall their way, but head coach Diane Dillon was pleased with their energy and battle level.
“We got better as the game went on,” Dillon said. “If this is where we are after the first semester, then we’re really excited for the second. I thought it was one of our better games, but the pucks just didn’t drop for us.”
The Lakers still sit at second in the NEWHL standings. Their next game will not be until Jan. 8 against King’s College, where they will look to get back in the win column.
Photo By Casey Stone | The Oswegonian
