After high-risk sports were approved in Section III, the Oswego Buccaneers girls hockey team returned to the ice a week later to start their shortened season. The team played 17 games last season and had an overall record of 9-6-2. However, this season will feature fewer opponents for head coach Mark Fierro’s team as well as fewer games that will be played between now and March 13. Skaneateles High School and Clinton High School will be the two teams taking on the Buccaneers this year and Fierro said the team is looking forward to the opportunity.
“It is definitely different looking at your schedule and only seeing two teams on it,” Fierro said. “Skaneateles and Clinton have won state championships and section titles the past couple of years. It is a lot of fun to think if you are going to play teams that you are playing some of the best teams in the state.”
Oswego will play three home games and three more on the road this season against those two teams. The fewer games allows the coaching staff to plan more practices with the team which has improved team chemistry. The Buccaneers have 10 players joining the team for the first time, although most of them have been a part of the minor hockey association that also plays out of the Crisafulli Ice Rink. Fierro was excited to see so many players on the roster this year.
“Having more lines and having more girls play forward and play defense is a good problem to have,” Fierro said. “A majority of the girls grew up playing together in minor hockey located in town.
The team however returns three seniors to lead the team through this 2021 season. The coaching staff has put two players into the captain role for this year, seniors Ashely St. John and Amelia Rastley will mentor their teammates throughout the season. St. John has played 49 games for the Buccaneers over the past three seasons.
In terms of goaltending, Oswego has two younger netminders that will play between the pipes for the Buccaneers. Nyah Dawson returns for the group with four career games under her belt, posting a 1.00 goals against average and a .927 save percentage. Even though the goaltender has not seen that many shots, her performance will earn her the starting role to start the season. Backing her will be freshman Chelse Storms.
The Buccaneers are slated to start their season today at home against Skaneateles at 1 p.m. Oswego State’s student-run radio station, WNYO will broadcast the game over its airwaves along with the rest of the home games. The team will take a week off from competition before going on the road for a rematch against the Lakers in two weeks. Although the season is short, Fierro has an impressive team.
“We have a bunch of kids that can play and there are no real weak links on this team,” Fierro said. “We have had some good teams in the past, but we have never had a team this deep.”
Photo provided by Mark Fierro
