To begin their 2023-24 campaign the Oswego State women’s hockey team started the season with back-to-back matchups against William Smith College. 

On Friday, Oct. 27 the Lakers traveled to Geneva to kick off their season. The Herons wasted no time after the opening puck drop as they bombarded Lakers’ goalie Lexi Levy with five shots in the first four minutes of the game, but Levi shut down all on-net attempts.

The Herons controlled much of the first period until three minutes remained where the Lakers rattled off six shots in 90 seconds, but none found the back of the net. After the strong defense, the Herons transitioned into offense and Elizabeth MacMurray netted the first goal of the game with just under two minutes left in the first period. 

The Lakers came out of the first break on a mission as Ashlyn McGrath put the first goal on the board, tying the game at one. The Lakers fed off their first goal of the game and applied pressure in the Herons zone the rest of the period as they tacked 14 more shots on goal. However, Herons goalie Erin Murray pushed aside all other attempts, keeping the score tied heading into the final period. 

The Lakers once again controlled most of the puck in the third period and in the dying seconds of the game, Tessa Mucha delivered as she buried the game-winning goal assisted by Mack Hull. The Lakers won 2-1. 

The Lakers outshot the Herons 38-25 and dominated the faceoff circle, winning 64% of the draws. Kensie Malone was a big reason for that as she won 18 of 24 draws. Levi finished the game with one goal and 23 saves. 

The Herons visited the Lakers the following day for their second matchup on Teal Night for ovarian cancer awareness. Backup Lakers goalie Hannah Skavnak got the start in net. 

The Lakers got the first power play of the game after a roughing call on the Herons and Hull capitalized to put the Lakers ahead 1-0. After the first 20 minutes, the Lakers led by one and led in shots 14-10. 

The Lakers began the second period with constant pressure in the Herons zone, partly due to a power-play opportunity. Despite the Herons killing off the penalty, the pressure by the Lakers paid off as they scored their second goal of the game at the 14:30 mark off the stick of McGrath. 

In a 2-0 hole the Herons won the faceoff after the Lakers goal and answered back 27 seconds later, cutting the lead to one. The back of the nets did not see any more pucks the remainder of the period as the Lakers went into the third period with a 2-1 lead.

The Lakers played locked-down defense in the final 20 minutes, only allowing three shots from the Herons. Skavnak made two clutch saves in the last five minutes to keep the Lakers ahead 2-1 and ultimately sealing the game. 

The Lakers took both games by a score of 2-1. The second game was much like the first game as the Lakers outshot the Herons 32-18, with six shots coming from Sophia Kyrkostas and five from Rachel Corbett. The Lakers won 67% of faceoffs and killed off all three penalties. 

With a 2-0 start the Lakers will look to continue their momentum early in the season as they travel to take on Plattsburgh State on Friday, Nov. 3.

Photo via: Oswego Athletics