OSWEGO, NY — The 9-6-4 Women’s Hockey team is back in action Wednesday night as Morrisville travels back into the Marano Campus Center for a NEWHL match up. The Mustangs last traveled into Oswego last Friday which gave the Lakers their second lost in as many games. The 0-2 setback was only the third time the Laker offense has been shutout all season. This is shocking as the team’s offense has producing more than last season. The group is averaging more goals per game along with more shot opportunities per game.
This increase comes in part from the success of their first line, Megan Teachout, Eryn Stewart, and Amber Thomas. The freshman, senior, and transfer have combined for 58 points out of a team total of 141. The three forwards all are a top the points chart with Teachout leading in goals and Stewart leading in assists.
The increased offense may be the only season improvement though as the Lakers have allowed more goals per game this season than last year. The 2.4 goals per game compared to the 2018-19 season total of 2.2 goals is odd due to the fact that Oswego’s defensive core along with starting goaltender has mostly stayed the same between the seasons. Senior Rachael Farmer has already played more games than last season as she is now the only goaltender on the team roster. The goalie’s goals against average has increased from 1.84 to 2.35 along with her save percentage decreasing from a .942 to a .910.
The Lakers still hold the second spot in the NEWHL standings right behind Plattsburgh who has clinched the division for the third straight year. Currently, Oswego is on pace to finish in their highest seeding since joining the league as the team has never been the second seed before. But Oswego is currently in a four way battle for that second spot as Potsdam, Morrisville, and Cortland all are within two points of each other. Due to this, tonight’s match up is important in the fact that without a win, the Lakers could fall outside the top four, and miss the playoffs for the first time in nine years. This game is also the last time Oswego would see these three teams in the regular season, as Oswego only has Buffalo State left to play in conference play. Puck drop is 7 p.m. tonight from the Marano Campus Center.
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