Oswego, NY – Oswego State delivered a textbook defensive performance Friday night, blanking SUNYAC rival Cortland 3–0 behind timely scoring and a flawless night in goal at the Deborah F. Stanley Arena.

BASICS 
Oswego: 3 (9-2-1, 6-1 SUNYAC)
Cortland: 0 (7-7-1, 4-3-1 SUNYAC)
Deborah F Stanley Arena, Oswego, NY

HOW IT HAPPENED 
The Lakers, who improved to 9-2-1 overall and 6-1-0 in conference play, were patient early in a tightly contested opening period that ended scoreless. Both teams traded chances, but Oswego's structure in its own zone set the tone and limited Cortland's looks to the outside.

The breakthrough came midway through the second period, and it was the Lakers' special teams that provided the spark. On Oswego's lone power play of the night, Tommy Bannister finished off a sharp puck movement at 10:26, snapping home the game's first goal. Travis Baker and Connor Gatto picked up the assists, and the goal held up as the eventual game-winner.

Oswego carried that momentum into the third and doubled its lead at 13:54 when Justin Ryan buried an even-strength tally off a feed from Colin Vassallo. The goal gave the Lakers breathing room and forced Cortland to chase the game late.

With the Red Dragons pulling their goalie in the final minutes, Gatto put the finishing touch on the night, sliding an empty-net goal home in the final minute to secure the 3–0 win.

Between the pipes, Michael Manzi was rock solid, turning aside all 22 shots he faced to earn the shutout. The Lakers' penalty kill was equally sharp, killing off all three Cortland power plays while allowing little sustained pressure.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Lakers will hit the road for another SUNYAC contest on Friday January 16^th at Buff State.