CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Oswego Women's Ice Hockey headed down the road to Cortland, N.Y. to face off against the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons. After pulling out a 3-2 comeback win on Alumni Weekend, the Lakers were prepared for a dogfight in today's highly anticipated rematch. A hot start by the Dragons would have the Lakers chasing for much of the first period. Just before the first intermission, Cortland found a way to break the 0-0 stalemate, earning the 1-0 edge. Now trailing, the Lakers put their foot on the gas in the beginning minutes of the second, fending off a Cortland powerplay. With neither team able to improve the scoreline, a winner would need to be decided in the final frame. Building their 2nd period momentum, the Lakers notched an equalizer early in the third, but a late tally and empty netter collected by Cortland allowed them to pull out a 3-1 win over Oswego. The Lakers split this weekend's conference competition 1-1.  

THE BASICS  
Final Score:  

Oswego 1 (11-9-1, 5-4-1 SUNYAC)  

Cortland 3 (12-5-3, 6-2-2 SUNYAC) 

Location: Alumni Arena| Cortland, N.Y. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

An opening faceoff win by Cortland would secure their first possession on offense, but a diligent defensive effort by Oswego allowed them to quickly turn play back up ice, finding their legs through a very short neutral zone. As the period continued to unfold, the Lakers and Dragons would trade shots on net, but Cortland began to control the pace and direction of play. Struggling to breakout against an aggressive Dragon forecheck, the Lakers began to get trapped on defense. Despite this, Oswego fought hard in corner battles and kept solid man-on-man coverage in the middle minutes. The Lakers earned a handful of shots on opposing gaol tender Eline Gillodes as time started to tick down but would find themselves on defense once again in the final minute. A last-ditch shot sent in from Cortland would generate a cross-crease rebound that Red Dragon Fanny Aneborn buried back door with just 0:17 seconds remaining, giving her team a 1-0 edge heading into the second period.  

Now trailing, the Lakers did not hesitate to put their foot on the gas, gaining Cortland's blueline off the faceoff. A couple of decent shots put on net by Meagan Smith and Liliana Ficaro generated rebounds, but both would be picked up by the Dragons. Oswego's elevated intensity would unfortunately get the best of them, sending first year Natalie Loncz to the box for a roughing penalty. Unphased, the Lakers do what they do best, penalty kill. Shutting down Cortland's shooting lanes and disrupting passes, Oswego rejected any quality plays the Red Dragons looked to produce. Returning to even-strength unscathed, Oswego kept their nose to the grindstone slightly tilting the ice in their favor. But with neither team able to add to the score board in the remaining minutes, a winner would need to be decided in the final frame.  

Building off their second period momentum, the Lakers wasted little time before netting an equalizer just 2:36 into the third. This goal unleashed Oswego's energy, controlling play at both ends of the ice for much for the period. As the clock started to wind down, it was a battle for every puck. A solid breakout and rush by Cortland allowed them offensive entry, but sophomore net minder Mia Devivo stood tall, rejecting multiple scoring opportunities, until Katie Mahoney found Aneborn in the slot where she would notch a second goal off a one-timer at the 16:31 mark. Determined to send the game into overtime, the Lakers pulled out all of the stops, adding a sixth player in place for Devivo. As the final minute approached, a Hail Mary sent down the ice by Red Dragon Carlen Bertrand found the center of Oswego empty net, securing a Cortland's 3-1 victory over Oswego.  

WHAT'S NEXT  

Oswego Women's Hockey will return to home ice this Friday, February 13th, facing off against the SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinals at 12:00 PM for Education Day. The Lakers will continue conference play at 3:00 PM on Saturday against the SUNY Potsdam Bears, celebrating their lone 2026 senior, Brittany Iversen, on Senior Day.  

Written by Matilda Pethrick 

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