OSWEGO, N.Y. – Coming off a 5-3 win over Utica, the Oswego State women's ice hockey team (1-2-1, 1-1-0 ECAC West) has its sights set on back-to-back games against Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference West foe Potsdam (0-3-0, 0-1-0 ECAC West), who the Lakers tied and lost to last season.

After a 0-2-1 start, the Lakers finally captured their first win on Nov. 3 against Utica, who they had lost to on the previous night. Junior Melissa Seamont (North Bay, Ontario) netted two goals, one of which was an empty netter to seal the game, and tacked on an assist to give Oswego State the victory.

The Lakers won despite being outshot 32-18 in the contest, partly thanks to 29 saves by Laker goaltender Bridget Smith (So., Hamburg, N.Y.). Smith also registered 12 stops in the final period to secure the win.

In their first matchup against the Bears last year, the Lakers allowed Potsdam to score two even-strength goals in the final four minutes of regulation to tie the game. However, one goal and four assists for the Bears came from players who graduated last year.

On the next night, the Bears tallied three first period goals and held on for a 3-2 triumph. Once again, it was the seniors who fronted the Potsdam attack. The Bears received a goal and three assists from their seniors.

At the end of the season, the Lakers edged the Bears in the conference standings. Oswego State ended the year 8-8-2, while Potsdam was right behind with a 7-8-3 conference record. Both teams won one game in the postseason, before being ousted by the top two teams in ECAC West (RIT and Plattsburgh) in the semifinals.

The Bears lost 83 combined points between their four seniors from last season, including their top two scorers. Upon graduation, the Bears saw 49 of their 107 assists from last season leave the ice for good. Oswego State finds itself in a similar situation, losing 114 of its 162 points from last year.

However, the Lakers have still found the net seven times in their first four games, which is similar to their six goals in the first four contests last season. On the other hand, Potsdam lost its first three games, with two losses by four goals or more.

In their last game, the Bears took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission against No. 2 Plattsburgh, before surrendering eight unanswered goals to the Cardinals in a blowout loss.

In their second game, they fell behind 6-0 to Holy Cross, before scoring two goals in the third period in a 6-2 loss.

Given that, the Lakers have a momentum advantage heading into Friday's contest. Oswego State holds a 5-3-1 all-time edge against Potsdam.

These two games against the Bears are also part of Alumni Weekend for the Lakers. All former women's ice hockey players are invited to attend the weekend slate. With potentially the original players from a team created in 2006-07 in attendance, the Lakers may have extra incentive to perform.