The Oswego State women`s ice hockey team was downed 5-2 by the nationally-ranked Elmira College Soaring Eagles on Friday night in the Campus Center. Oswego's loss drops its record to 10-5-1 on the year and 6-2-1 in ECAC West play, while No. 3 Elmira improves to 12-3-1, 7-0-0.
Statistically, the two teams were similar, with the Soaring Eagles only holding a one-shot advantage over the Lakers (27-26) while Oswego controlled three more face-offs (31-28) than Elmira.
Despite the likeness in the box score, Elmira jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the game's first 23 minutes. Phoebe Piku's goal at 3:11 in the second period proved to be the game-winner, although Oswego would fight back.
Kendall Appelbaum got the Lakers on the board in the second period when she netted a goal at 18:16 off a pass from Emma Smetaniuk. The goal cut the Soaring Eagle lead to two at 3-1 heading into the final intermission.
Elmira scored exactly one minute into the third period but Jocelyn St. Clair answered back 49 second later to keep it a two-goal margin at 4-2. The goal by St. Clair was assisted by Lizzy Marks. Just under two minutes later, however, the Soaring Eagles added the final score of the contest.
Catherine Cote earned the start between the pipes for the Lakers, saving 22 attempts in the losing effort.
Oswego will return to the ice at 3 p.m. on Saturday when it looks to avenge Friday's loss when it faces the Soaring Eagles to close out the weekend series.
