OSWEGO, N.Y. – Oswego Women's Hockey hit the road this evening, heading to Utica, N.Y. to face off against the #11 Utica University Pioneers. With both teams looking to continue their winning momentum from this weekend, the Lakers and Pioneers came out firing. Despite losing the opening faceoff, Oswego wasted no time getting on the board, notching the first and only goal of the first period. Utica responded well, using their size and physicality to their advantage, but were still unable to find the back of the net. Combined, both teams would go 0-7 on powerplay chances, but the Lakers found a way to tally 2 more goals in 5-on-5 play. Veteran netminder Lexi Levy would aid tonight's 3-0 shutout win, against the Utica University Pioneers, with a commanding 35 save performance.  

THE BASICS  
 
Final Score:  

Oswego 3 (12-2-1, 9-1-1 SUNYAC)   

Utica 0 (12-5-0, 3-1-0 UCHC) 

Location: Nexus Center, Utica NY

 
HOW IT HAPPENED  

Although Utica won the opening faceoff, Oswego earned the first turn on offense, putting shots on opposing goaltender, Angela Hawthorne, instantly. As the beginning minutes got underway, first year defenseman Shaye Jasiel would draw an interference penalty, awarding the Pioneers the first advantage of the game at the 3:20 mark. A strong start to the powerplay would quickly be turned around by a determined Laker penalty kill. A shot by a Utica player would be blocked by senior Ashlyn McGrath, sending herself on a breakaway. McGrath's deceptive short side shot made its way over the left shoulder of Hawthorne, securing a short-handed first goal for Oswego at 5:12. As play returned to even strength in the following minutes, Utica responded well to Oswego score, challenging the Laker defensemen in puck battles and in front of the crease. Using their size to their advantage the Pioneers amped up the physicality as the period winded down, keeping Oswego on their toes.  

Utica came out with the same physicality they ended the first period with, eager to put one behind Lexi Levy, but both programs settled back into the pace they traded turns getting shots on net. Graduate student Jayden Kelley would be charged with a tripping penalty at the 4:29 mark, putting the Pioneers on their 2nd advantage of the game. Another connected penalty kill effort by the Lakers would keep Utica at bay and be rewarded with a powerplay opportunity of their own on the following play. Despite having a handful of quality scoring chances, Oswego were unable to add to their 1-goal scoreline as play returned to 5-on-5. Utica would earn a third powerplay in the late minutes of the second period, but Oswego would maintain their mere 1-0 lead heading into the final frame.  

In the opening minutes of the third period, it was apparent that Utica's physicality was taking a toll on the Lakers' energy. The Pioneers took advantage of a lackadaisical Oswego bench, putting some hefty shots on Levy and driving the puck hard to the net. Unwilling to give up their lead, Oswego began to pick it back up at both ends of the ice, using their 3rd powerplay advantage to regain control. A nice passing play between McGrath and fellow senior Lauren Schell would set up sophomore forward Jenna Majewski in the slot, to secure a second goal just over 13 minutes into the period. A riled-up Utica squad did not take 'No' for an answer, starting a scuffle in front of the Oswego net on the next play, sending in first year Sydney Pinti and Jordan Kowalski with matching roughing penalties. Now 4-on-4, senior Lizzie Burke collected the puck in open ice, sending herself on a fast break up the right side of the rink. A nice cut back by Burke would give defenseman Shaye Jasiel enough time to enter the zone and catch-and-shoot Burke's pass, tallying a 3rd and final unanswered goal for Oswego at the 16:11 mark. The Lakers fended off the Pioneers in the final minutes of regulation, securing a 3-0 shutout win over Utica University.  

WHAT'S NEXT  

Oswego Women's Hockey will have a few days to recover before kicking off their end of season SUNYAC run with a two-game series against the Buffalo State Bengals. Puck drop is set to commence this Friday, January 31st at 7:00 PM in the Deborah F. Stanley. Arena.  

Written by Matilda Pethrick 

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