Oswego State Athletics

UTICA, N.Y. -- Oswego Women's Ice Hockey headed South to the Utica University Nexus Center to face off against the Utica Pioneers in the second matchup of this weekend's two-game series. After last night's hard fought 3-2 loss, the Lakers were hungry for redemption. Oswego controlled much of the early action, applying their relentless forecheck and generating numerous scoring opportunities, but strong defensive play from Utica kept the game scoreless through two periods. The Lakers continued to dominate possession and finally broke through in the third period when Georgia Cunliffe buried a rebound on the power play. Utica responded with a power-play goal of their own later in the third frame to even the score at 1-1 and force overtime. Carrying momentum from last weekend's overtime success, Oswego stayed composed in the extra minutes of play, finishing a seamless passing sequence with just 0:16 seconds remaining to secure a well-earned 2-1 overtime victory over the Utica University Pioneers. 

THE BASICS  
 
Final Score:  

Oswego 2  (3-1-0, 0-0 SUNYAC)  

Utica 1 (2-2-0, 0-0 UCHC) 

Location: Utica University Nexus Center | Utica, N.Y.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Eager to get back in the win column, the Lakers wasted little time getting to work off the opening faceoff. Their offensive jump would keep the Pioneers on their heels for the beginning series of minutes, making it difficult for them to break out of their end. Oswego's intense forecheck persisted for much of the first, regaining many of their turnovers, and generating a good compilation of shots on netminder Yael Fatiev. Despite showing tired legs, Utica managed to hold on in their defensive zone and gain some momentum towards the final minutes of the period. The Pioneers' passive approach would serve them well and shut down Oswego's shooting lanes, keeping the scoreline tied 0-0 entering the second.  

With both teams vying for the first tally of the day, it did not take long for the intensity of the match to begin to rise. This raised level of physicality would land Utica defenseman, Hayley McNeal in the box, awarding the Lakers the first advantage of the game. A connected effort by Oswego on the powerplay would generate a few quality chances on net, but none would fall their way. Play returned to 5-on-5, but not for long, as the Lakers would regain their powerplay rhythm a few minutes later at 5:23 and for a third time at 12:58, as Nina Pollestad and Maddi Vitali found their way to the penalty corner. Although the scoreboard remained deadlocked 0-0, Oswego stayed in control of the game even when they got a taste of their own medicine on the penalty kill. Pushing hard for a goal as the clock ticked down, the Lakers maintained offensive positioning ahead of the 3rd period.  

Picking up right where they left off in the second, Oswego re-entered on the attack. Staying persistent in corner battles and in front of their net, the Pioneers kept the Lakers at bay, but another penalty charged against Meghan Goldie gave Oswego the greenlight on the powerplay. Testing Yael Fatiev with a handful of heavy shots, sophomore Natalie Loncz finally made good, generating a prime rebound for linemate Georgia Cunliffe, who would find the back of the net on the man-up advantage at the 5:58 mark. But a quick turn of the tables on the following shift would force the Lakers to refocus on the penalty kill. Unphased, Oswego maintained their 1-0 lead as they returned to even strength. A few minutes later, another penalty called against Laker Katie Demers unfortunately allowed the Pioneers to even the score with a similar rebound-style goal with just 11:26 left to play. Sparing no effort, both teams fought hard until the final buzzer, forcing a sudden death overtime.  
 

Channeling their overtime success from last weekend's win against Arcadia, the Lakers made it hard for the Pioneers to gain solid possession. The five-minute overtime ticked down quickly, but Oswego was unwilling to relinquish, finishing on a seamless passing play with just 0:16 seconds left to secure a 2-1 overtime win over the Utica University Pioneers.  

WHAT'S NEXT  

Looking to collect their first SUNYAC points of the year, Oswego Women's Hockey will head down the road to Geneva, N.Y. this Friday, November 13th to face off against the William Smith College Herons. Puck drop is set to commence at 3:00PM at The Cooler. Go Lakers! 

Written by Matilda Pethrick 

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