The Oswego State women`s ice hockey team used two shorthanded goals to down host Utica College 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Oswego's win improves its record to 15-6-1 overall and more importantly to 9-3-1 in ECAC West play. The victory also breaks a tie for third place in the conference standings with Potsdam as the Bears played a nonconference game on Saturday.
Utica's loss drops the Pioneers to 15-6 on the year and 8-4 in conference.
All three of the game's goals on Saturday came on special teams, with the first two being the most crucial for the Lakers.
In the first period, Mady Paul was whistled for roughing at 11:04, giving the Pioneers a power-play opportunity. Oswego would not only kill the penalty but find a way to net a goal. Melissa Seamont buried a shorthanded goal just 13 seconds after the power-play began, scoring off a pass from senior captain Olivia Boersen.
After heading to the intermission with a 1-0 lead, Seamont was at it again in a similar situation. Teammate Chelsea Hunt was sent to the penalty box at 3:31 of the second period for interference. Seamont was able to get her second shorthanded score of the day, unassisted, less than a minute into the man-down instance.
Utica got on the board early in the third period but the Lakers were able to hold the Pioneers for the rest of regulation to preserve the victory.
Bridget Smith earned the start between the pipes for Oswego, allowing just the one goal off 30 shots, finishing the contest with 29 saves.
The Lakers will return to action at 7 p.m. on Friday when Plattsburgh comes to the Campus Center for a two-game weekend series. Both squads will faceoff again at 3 p.m. on Saturday for Oswego's Senior Day, as it will honor its nine seniors after the season finale.
