OSWEGO, N.Y. – Oswego Women's hockey returned to home ice this afternoon to No.7 SUNY Plattsburgh in their second conference matchup of the weekend. A determined start from both teams would turn play into a physical end-to-end game, with both teams fighting for every inch. A scoreless first period would leave both the Lakers and Cardinals unsatisfied and hungry for the first point in the second. Plattsburgh would capitalize on two early power play opportunities, holding onto a 2-0 lead for the remainder of the period. After a lackluster 2nd period, Oswego meant business in the third, scoring two equalizing goals just 30 seconds apart sending the game into overtime and eventually into a consolation shootout. Although winning the shootout, the Lakers walked away with a 2-2 tie against SUNY Plattsburgh, securing the No.1 spot in SUNYAC rankings.
THE BASICS
Final Score:
Oswego 2 (4-0-1, 2-0-1 SUNYAC)
Plattsburgh 2 (2-1-1, 1-1-1 SUNYAC)
Location: Deborah F. Stanley Arena | Oswego, N.Y.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A determined start from both teams would turn play into a physical, end-to-end battle early on. With both teams fighting for every inch, there was little room for mistakes as the Lakers and Cardinals matched each other's energy on offense and defense. Strong compilations of shots from both programs would test starting goaltenders Lexi Levy and Chloe Lewis, but none would breakthrough. A scoreless first period would leave Plattsburgh and Oswego unsatisfied and hungry for the first point heading into second.
First year Meaghan Smith would once again win the opening faceoff for the Lakers, allowing linemates senior Ashlyn McGrath and sophomore Erika Parenti to gain offensive entry. A wide shot by Parenti would give the Cardinals a quick breakout route which would be halted by a body checking penalty called against graduate student Jayden Kelley. A connected Plattsburgh power play found a way to separate the Oswego penalty kill unit, finding Mattie Norton on the backdoor to put the first one in at the 3:29 mark of the second period. Oswego would regain offensive possession on the following play until a bouncing puck to the feet of defenseman Tilly Pethrick would force a quick recovery off the blueline, resulting in an interference penalty and another power play for the Cardinals. Mae Olshansky would find the back of the net after a solid pass from flank player Ciara Wall, extending their lead to 2-0 at 5:42. The scoreboard would remain the same for the rest of the period as the Lakers desperately played catch up.
As the third period got underway it became very clear that the entire Oswego bench was determined to not let their, so far, undefeated SUNYAC record die. Finding another gear early, the Lakers caught Plattsburgh off guard, battering Lewis with shots and winning puck battles in their defensive zone. A penalty drawn by Cardinal Bridget Orr would give Oswego their first turn on the power play but would be unsuccessful. Undeterred by their ineffective PP effort, the Lakers continued to kick. First year Elizabeth Cooley would finish on a scrum in front of Plattsburgh's net putting Oswego on the board at the 15:05 mark. Riding off this energy, defenseman Helen Vandamme would take the puck down the ice setting up sophomore transfer Jenna Majewski to score an equalizer goal just less than 30 seconds later at 15:31. Despite a late power play opportunity for the Lakers, regulation time would end with the score tied 2-2, sending the game into overtime.
A very composed overtime effort from both teams would solidify a 2-2 tie with the Plattsburgh Cardinals, but a four round shootout would eventually be won by graduate student Rachel Corbett, helping the Lakers earn a spot in pairwise rankings.
WHAT'S NEXT
Next Friday, November 22nd, your Lady Lakers will host conference rival No.5 SUNY Cortland, looking to remain undefeated in the SUNYAC. Puck drop will commence at 3:00 PM on Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night in Deborah F. Stanley Arena.
Written By: Matilda Pethrick
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