OSWEGO, N.Y. -- Oswego Women's Hockey returned to action this afternoon against #14 ranked Hamilton College Continentals. After a brief Thanksgiving break and a hard week at practice, the Lakers came into today's matchup feeling refreshed and prepared. Jumping off the opening faceoff, Oswego had their first rush and scoring opportunity, catching the Continentals off guard. The Lakers maintained this offensive energy throughout the first, but nothing would unfortunately fall their way. Oswego would earn multiple powerplay opportunities in the second frame, but the score would still remain deadlocked 0-0. The Lakers' unwavering effort and energy would finally be rewarded in the middle minutes of the third period, with a goal sent in by Shaye Jasiel. As the clock ticked down, the Continentals found a second wind, but it would not be enough to find an equalizer, falling 1-0 to Oswego as the buzzer sounded.
THE BASICS
Final Score:
Oswego 1 (6-3-0, 2-1-0 SUNYAC)
#14 Hamilton 0 (4-2-1, 2-1-1 NESCAC)
Location: Deborah F. Stanley Ice Arena | Oswego, N.Y.
HOW IT HAPPENED
An excited start by the Lakers allowed them to earn offensive positioning and their first quality scoring chance off the opening faceoff. A back door one-timer attempted by first year Lauren Ricobelli would be nearly rejected by opposing netminder Teagan Brown. Oswego's heavy pressure would unfortunately land junior defenseman Tilly Pethrick in the penalty box, giving the Continentals the first powerplay opportunity just 4:26 into the first period. A connected effort by the Lakers' penalty kill unit, disrupted any promising chances created by Hamilton, returning to even strength unscathed. The rest of the period would be dominated by Oswego, controlling the energy at both ends of the ice and battering Brown with a compilation of shots and passing plays. Despite a handful of odd man rushes, the Lakers were unable to find the back of the net, entering the second frame scoreless.
Determined to find their stride in the 2nd period, Hamilton applied heavy pressure on forecheck, but Oswego maintained and built off their composure from the first, beating the Continentals with their breakout passes. A tripping penalty charged to Molly Ji awarded the Lakers their first powerplay at the 7:47 mark of the period. Unfortunately, this advantage would not generate anything of note. While 5-on-5 play resumed, a rush created off a Continental breakout would be stopped by Pethrick in the Lakers' zone, sending her teammates back up the ice. A miscommunication on the Hamilton bench resulted in too many players on ice penalty; Oswego were once again unable to capitalize, looking to break the 0-0 scoreline in the third period.
Confident in their ability, the Lakers continued to churn offense in the early minutes of the third period. Keeping the Continentals on their heels on defense. Oswego would finally be rewarded for their consistent effort, with a quick shot and goal from defenseman Shaye Jasiel at 13:45. Now up 1-0, the Lakers' effort did not waver in the following minutes, pestering Brown in net and dancing through the neutral zone. As the clock began to tick down, Hamilton found a second wind around the six-minute mark but could not find an equalizer, falling 1-0 to the Lakers as the buzzer sounded.
WHAT'S NEXT
Oswego Women's Hockey will break from competition for the Holidays but will return to a jam-packed January, starting in Northfield, VT at the East West Classic on January 4th against the Norwich University Cadets. Puck drop is set to commence at 3:00PM at the Kreitzberg Arena. Go Lakers!
Written by Matilda Pethrick
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