CORTLAND, N.Y. – Oswego Women's Hockey hit the road this afternoon, heading South to Cortland, N.Y. looking to complete their near perfect regular season schedule and conference campaign with third and final win over the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons. With a Regular Season Champion title secured, and a #1 seed playoff spot clinched, the Lakers were focused on collecting NCAA points in today's matchup, to continue to boost their national NPI ranking. A scoreless first and second period would leave both teams unsatisfied and hungry to put the first one the board. As the final frame of regulation unfolded, the Lakers and Red Dragons would trade possession and scoring chances, but none would breakthrough, leaving the winner to be determined in another overtime period. Both teams would trade possession in the opening minutes of OT, but a nifty toe-drag and backhand finish by Rachel Corbett would secure a 1-0 overtime win and weekend sweep over the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons.
THE BASICS
Final Score:
Oswego 1 (OT) (21-2-2, 15-1-2 SUNYAC)
Cortland 0 (17-4-4, 12-4-2 SUNYAC)
Location: Alumni Ice Arena | Oswego, N.Y.
HOW IT HAPPENED
An opening faceoff win by Oswego would give them some jump off the puck drop. A series of early shots generated by the Lakers would be rejected by opposing netminder Molly Coergen. Like last night's matchup, it did not take long for play to turn into a back-and-forth battle, with both teams struggling to gain consistent offensive momentum. A disciplined defensive effort by Oswego allowed them to breakout effectively and eliminate any option Cortland had in front of the net, but as the first period began to tick down the energy of both benches began to waiver.
Unsatisfied with their scoreless effort in the 1st period, the Lakers turned the heat on in the beginning minutes of the second. A handful of quality scoring chances produced from rebounds would shift the momentum in favor of Oswego, but play would remain scoreless as the period unfolded. Hungry to put the first one in, Cortland came back swinging, testing Lexi Levy in net and increasing their physicality in corner-battles. Similar to the first period, the legs of both benches began to tire towards the end of the second frame, causing a couple avoidable turnovers and unsuccessful odd man rushes, but none would help improve the 0-0 scoreline.
A determined start to the final period by Cortland would put the Lakers back on their heels on defense, but once Oswego settled back into the pace of the game, they found a way to continue to put shots on net and create passing plays. As the regulation buzzer drew closer and closer, the physicality increased but neither team would earn a powerplay advantage. After another goalless 20 minutes, a winner would need to be decided in another overtime period. Both teams would trade possession in the opening minutes of OT, but a nifty toe-drag by Rachel Corbett would split Cortland's defenseman giving her an undefended lane to the net. A nice backhand finish over the shoulder of Coergen would secure a 1-0 overtime win and weekend sweep over the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons.
WHAT'S NEXT
After clinching the #1 seed for conference playoffs, the Lady Lakers will have a week to prepare to host the SUNY Canton Kangaroos in the semi-final round of the SUNYAC tournament. Puck drop is set to commence on March 1st at 3:00 PM in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena. Go Lakers!
Written by Matilda Pethrick
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