The Oswego State women’s hockey team saw their third straight semi-finals loss during their away game at SUNY Cortland on Feb. 24. Following wins in their previous few games, the Lakers were no match for the Red Dragons.

Simone Bednarik and goalie Lexi Levy saw an impressive start to the first period, with Bednarik charging the Red Dragons for the puck right after the faceoff. Bednarik launched three consecutive shots at the opposing goal, all of which were blocked by the Red Dragons’ goalie. Following an Oswego side faceoff, the Red Dragons took control and repeated Bednarik’s process of back-to-back shots, all of which were blocked by Levy. 

In the fight to return the puck to center ice, players collided, and a roughing penalty was assessed against the Red Dragons.

In swift coalition, the puck was maneuvered down the ice towards the Red Dragons’ goal. Bednarik put up yet another shot, but it was saved by Red Dragons’ goalie Olivia Lumpiesz. The Lakers attempted another goal, seeing a powerful slap shot from Ashlyn McGrath and a shot from Kensie Malone.

A faceoff back at center ice took the game to Oswego’s side, forcing the Lakers to play defense until a line change brought Erika Parenti on the ice. Parenti swiftly took the puck from a Red Dragons’ captain, outskating all others. However, the Red Dragons stole the puck and made three consecutive shots at the Oswego goal, all saved by Levy.

Levy’s skill shone through in the second half of the first period as the Lakers remained on the defense, with a total of 17 saves by the end of the period. Bednarik stepped off the bench in the last few minutes of the period and fought to bring the Lakers back on the offensive, but a slow line change caught the team lacking as the clock ran out.

Following a scoreless yet busy first period, the second saw a lot of back and forth. After winning the faceoff, the Red Dragons brought the puck down to the Lakers’ goal. Levy deflected shots made and sent the rebound Bednarik’s way. Bednarik pushed to bring the game down the ice, but Oswego remained on the defensive.

Shot after shot was made at the Oswego net, all saved by Levy.

Another was made in the midst of a scuffle in the goal crease, sending Levy spinning backward into the goal. A faceoff after Levy’s impressive save kept the goalie on her toes as the Red Dragons’ Meggan Cramer launched the puck towards the goal in another attempt. More back and forth ensued following the shot from the Red Dragons, both teams struggling to meet center ice.

Just under halfway into the period, Lauren Schell snuck past the opposing goaltender and scored the Lakers’ first and only goal in the game. The Red Dragons quickly responded with captain Dany Donegan scoring minutes later.

As the stakes rose in the latter half of the period, both teams engaged in roughing as they skated between sides, neither able to maintain control of the puck. The roughing resulted in a penalty for Mack Hull of the Lakers and Red Dragons’ Mia Hiasnick for tripping and checking.

The second period saw a similar end as the first, with Bednarik charging the Red Dragons’ goal in the period’s last 30 seconds, with time running out before she had the chance to make her shot.

Oswego took the offensive at the start of the third period, winning the faceoff and making several close shots. An icing call brought the players back to center ice, the Red Dragons attempting to score before Bednarik pounced on a rebound, bringing Oswego back to a fierce offensive.

After a failed shot, the fight for the puck was brought back to center ice. Both teams desperately struggled for the puck. The Lakers were dismayed as the Red Dragons’ offense finally brought the fight to the Oswego goal. The Red Dragons circled around the goal like sharks, looking for an opportunity to sail the puck in from behind Levy.

Oswego State head coach Mark Digby called a timeout in the final few minutes of the game and made the risky decision to remove Levy from the goal, leaving the Lakers with an empty net. With the stakes now higher, the Lakers fought hard for the offensive. Hull and Bednarik put up shot after shot, but the Red Dragons took the rebound and sailed the puck cleanly into the empty Oswego net. The Red Dragons went on to win 2-1, ending the Lakers’ season. 

Photo by: Oswego Athletics