RYE, N.Y. -- Oswego Women's Hockey returned to the Playland Ice Casino this afternoon for the second matchup of their two-game series against the Manhattanville University Valiants. Determined to complete a weekend sweep, the Lakers wasted no time picking up their winning momentum from last night, notching the first goal of the game. The Valiants leveled the score on the powerplay, but Oswego managed to regain a one-goal lead before the second period. The Lakers would benefit from Manhattanville's string of penalties, netting three goals to go up 5-1 entering the final frame. Unsatisfied, the Valiants found a second goal just minutes into the third, but the Lakers would have the last laugh, sweeping Manhattanville with a 6-2 victory.
THE BASICS
Final Score:
Oswego 6 (9-6-0, 3-1-0 SUNYAC)
Manhattanville 2 (2-12-1, 2-0-2 UCHC)
Location: Playland Ice Casino Arena| Rye, N.Y.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A hot start from both teams set the tone for the rest of the game, but Oswego wasted little time picking up where they left off last night, with a goal just 3:33 into the first period, scored by sophomore Sydney Pinti. On the following play, Danika Aubin would be sent to the box for a tripping penalty, giving the Lakers the first advantage of the game. Although unsuccessful on their first attempt on the powerplay, Oswego would earn a second opportunity on which they would continue to pepper goaltender Olivia Cimorelli with a range of shots. A few minutes later, Katie Demers took a turn in the penalty box, giving the Valiants their first powerplay opportunity and goal of the game at the 12:00 mark. Unphased, the Lakers kept churning offense, regaining a one-goal lead at 15:19. Oswego remained consistent until the initial buzzer, heading into the second period up 2-1.
The beginning minutes of the second frame would emulate those of the first, with the Lakers earning a handful of prime scoring chances on a powerplay at 3:17. A nice shot by Elizabeth Cooley would be swatted away by a Valiant defenseman, but Meagan Smith managed to collect and put the rebound behind Cimorelli at the 4:03 mark, improving the scoreline to 3-1. The middle minutes of the period would go scoreless, despite Oswego benefitting from an influx of Valiant penalties, until Cooley added a fourth tally to the scoreline at the 13:18 mark. Struggling to stay out of the box, Manhattanville's Taylor Willoughby would be charged with a tripping penalty, allowing Leah Coley to net her second goal of the day with just under a minute and a half remaining in the period.
Determined to lessen their deficit in the final minutes, the Valiants came out firing in the third period, but their physicality continued to keep them on the penalty kill. As play returned to even-strength, a compilation of back-and-forth plays would leave the puck in neural ice until Manhattanville found their legs after first year Liliana Ficaro was sent to the box for slashing. A strong net front presence by the Valiants would pay off after a solid shot sent in by Emilija Tuciute was tipped by Abby Mellen at 4:47, making it 5-2. Like last night's game, it would be a battle until the final buzzer, but first year Julia Power had the last laugh collecting her first career goal with just 0:30 seconds left, securing a 6-2 victory and weekend sweep over the Manhattanville University Valiants.
WHAT'S NEXT
Oswego Women's Hockey will head to the north country next weekend to kick off their final run of SUNYAC games. A first game against the SUNY Potsdam Bears on Friday, January 23rd will lay the groundwork for a huge conference rematch against the SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinals on Saturday, January 24th. Go Lakers!
Written by Matilda Pethrick
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