The Oswego State women’s ice hockey team defeated Cortland, 4-1, at home on Saturday night. With the victory, Oswego improves to 10-11-2 on the season and 6-7-1 in conference action, while Cortland falls to 7-14-2 overall and 2-13-1 in NEWHL play. The win secures the Lakers the third seed in the NEWHL.
When Cortland scored a second-period goal to make it 1-0, Oswego answered less than five minutes later. Sarah Grupp took a shot that ricocheted off the Cortland goalie’s leg, and Jean-marie Padden was perfectly positioned at the left side of the net to send the puck into the goal. Grupp picked up an assist on the goal, as did Natalie Giglio.
A little under nine minutes into the third period, Oswego gained a 2-1 advantage. Olivia Ellis raced down the center of the ice, smacking a hard shot into the Red Dragon goal to give the Lakers the lead. The goal was Ellis’ team-leading eighth goal of the season. Andrea Noss and Julieann White notched assists on Ellis’ goal.
Oswego extended its lead less than two minutes later, capitalizing on a decision to send out an extra attacker. From near the blue line, Kate Randazzo sent a shot through traffic that found its way into the back left of the Cortland net. Ellis and Victoria Blake each earned assists on the goal.
With 1:21 left in the game, White added to the Laker lead with an empty netter. Ellis collected her third point of the night with an assist on White’s goal.
Goalie Mariah Madrigal played the entire game for Oswego, making 14 saves. Oswego killed all three of its penalties on the night.
The Lakers return to the ice on Friday and Saturday to take on Potsdam for their final series of the regular season. First, at 7 p.m. on Friday, the Bears and Lakers will face off at Potsdam. Then, the series continues the next day at 2 p.m. as Oswego hosts Potsdam for Senior Day.
