Write a commentThe Oswego River Hawks, who finished the 2023 season ranked 10th among the 39 NABLL teams nationwide, opened their 2024 season with a gritty 16-12 win over the Utica Yeti at the Fort Ontario Crisafulli Rink on Friday night.
Ten different players tallied points for the River Hawks, as Brian Kelly put the home team on the scoreboard just 35 seconds into the game. Two goals from Bailey Wood sandwiched a Yeti goal, making the score 3-1. Oswego State’s Emmet Starowicz made it 4-1, and Laker teammate Jack Alvey extended the lead to 5-1. A second Yeti goal made it 5-2, but Oswego HS graduate Jack Rice scored the final goal of the quarter to give the River Hawks a 6-2 lead.
The Yeti closed the gap throughout the second 15-minute frame. Despite a second goal from Starowicz and one from Mason Blakemon, the Yeti tallied six goals to tie the score at 8-8 at halftime.
The River Hawks battled back to win the third quarter 4-3 on goals from Rice, Lucas Hoskin (2), and Dylan Smith, and held a slight 12-11 lead going into the fourth quarter.
A persistent attack led to four consecutive River Hawk goals early in the final stanza, with goals coming from Jason Tedeschi, Kelly, Smith, and Hoskin. Despite a goalie change, the Yeti could only answer with a single goal in the fourth quarter.
Oswego’s Jack Beck played the first half, recording 15 saves and allowing 8 goals (65%). Kobie Gibson played the second half, making 11 saves and allowing just 4 goals (73%). For the Yeti, Shannon Sullivan played all but the final 11 minutes and 25 seconds, making 22 saves while allowing 15 goals against (59%). Mario Diaz came in and made 6 saves and allowed one goal (86%).
The River Hawks were called for five penalties, all two-minute minors, and Utica capitalized on four of them. The Yeti were charged with six minors, and Oswego scored two extra-man goals.
Both teams have this weekend off before resuming their 2024 schedules. The River Hawks are set to travel down to Philadelphia on June 22 to participate in a four-team play day, which will feature three full-length non-league games.
Oswego resumes its NABLL Empire Division schedule at home on Friday, June 28 against the Seneca Lake Serpents. Game time is set for 7:30 PM.
