The Oswego State women’s ice hockey team upset second-seeded Buffalo State, 5-0, on the road on Saturday in the first round of the NEWHL Championship. With the shutout, the Lakers improve their record to 12-12-2 on the season, while Buffalo State ends its season at 13-11-2.
Oswego took control with a dominant first period. At 5:28 into the period, Jean-marie Padden intercepted a Bengal pass inside the faceoff circle, sending it into the right side of the Bengal net to put the Lakers on the scoreboard. Padden’s goal was her eighth of the season, the most by any Laker freshman.
Later in the first period, senior duo Andrea Noss and Olivia Ellis teamed up to extend the Laker lead. Stealing the puck from a Buffalo State skater, Noss skated out from behind the net, passing the puck to Ellis. The Wilcox, Sask. native was positioned perfectly at the left side of the Bengal net and slapped the puck into the goal.
Just over a minute later, Noss was in on the action again. Julieann White raced down the ice and behind the Buffalo State goal, sending the puck to Noss, who put it away. Noss notched her eighth goal of the season, while White picked up her 10th assist and Victoria Blake earned her fifth.
In the second period, the Lakers took advantage of their power-play opportunity to add onto their lead. Two passes by Laura Thacker and White put the puck in Ellis’ possession. The senior was able to score for the second time of the contest, bringing the Laker lead to 4-0.
At 4:37 into the third period, Padden sealed the deal for the Lakers with a shorthanded goal. As with her first goal, Padden intercepted a Buffalo State pass and made the Bengals pay. Sending the puck into the right side of the Bengal net, the freshman brought the score to 5-0, where it would remain.
Goalie Mariah Madrigal played all 60 minutes in the net, earning the shutout and the win. The senior collected 24 saves in the victory.
Next, the Lakers travel to Plattsburgh to face the top-seeded Cardinals at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the final round of the NEWHL Championship.
