OSWEGO, N.Y. -- Oswego Women's Hockey finished off their home opener series with a second game against the Castleton Spartans. After an unfortunate loss to the Spartans last night, the Lakers were eager to come back in today's matchup. A similar start to yesterday's game would once again award Castleton with the first tally of the game about halfway through the opening period. A dominant performance by Oswego in the second period would allow them to level the score and set the tone heading into the 3rd period. Carrying their momentum into the final frame, the Lakers would gain a mere 2-1 lead, but the Spartans were not ready to relinquish, finding the back of the net in the final minute. Despite this effort, Oswego managed to pull out a 3-2 victory with 38 seconds remaining.  

THE BASICS  
 
Final Score:  

Oswego 3 (1-1-0, 0-0-0 SUNYAC)   

Castleton 2 (1-1-0, 0-0-0 LEC) 

Location: Deborah F. Stanely Ice Arena | Oswego, N.Y.  

HOW IT HAPPENED 

After yesterday's loss, the Lakers were determined to prove it was a fluke, setting the tone early in the first period. A handful of hard shots on the net and would give opposing net minder Gianna McCusker little time to settle in and would force Oswego to work harder when placing pucks on the net. Despite the Lakers' dominant start, a strong shot from defenseman Rainey Lay found the back of the net first at the 9:24 mark, giving the Spartans a 1-0 lead. In the following minutes, Shaye Jasiel would be sent to the box awarding Castleton the first powerplay opportunity of the game. A connected Laker penalty kill would once again shutdown the Spartans but a quiet final minutes would send the game into the second period still standing at 1-0.  

Carrying their momentum into the second period, the Lakers did not waste much time regaining offensive positioning but would struggle to get the puck to the net. A Spartan penalty would give Oswego a power play advantage of their own, but like Castleton, they too would be unsuccessful. In the following minutes, an aggressive net front presence by the Lakers would finally produce an equalizer awarded to Jenna Majewski after a strong play off a defenseman's skate. The scoreline would remain deadlocked, but the Lakers continued to set the tone and pace of play heading into the final frame.  

Starting the third period still on the powerplay, Erika Parenti would win the final opening faceoff, sending her linemates up on the ice to gain offensive positioning. This immediate entry would allow the Lakers to possess the puck and zone time for a good chunk of the beginning minutes. While the period got underway, a scoring drought for both teams would ensue, but would eventually be broken by first year Natalie Loncz off a connected passing play at the 14:40 mark. Oswego would focus on defending their 2-1 lead in the leftover minutes, but a second goal notched by the Spartans would have them scrambling for offense in the final minute. Not ready to relinquish, first year Georgia Cunliffe secured a game-winning third goal with just 0:38 seconds remaining.  

WHAT'S NEXT  

Oswego Women's Hockey will return to action this Friday, November 7th at 7:00PM when they take on the Utica University Pioneers in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena.  

Written by Matilda Pethrick 

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