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The first half of the 2010-2011 season has come and gone for the Oswego State Women's Hockey team and this is a very different hockey team then fans have seen in the past few seasons as the team is on their way to the best season in program history. With 7 freshman and 7 transfers it was going to be interesting to see how well the team would gel together and it appears as it has gelled perfectly. The season started off on the road with a split against Adrian College. Game 1 was a 2-0 loss but Game 2 was a bounce back with a 3-1 victory. Scoring in game 2 was provided by Kelly Collins, transfer Mackenzie Lee, and freshman Olivia Boersen. The first home weekend for the Women was going to be a true test as nationally ranked Elmira made the trip to Oswego. The outcome was testament to the recruting job head coach Diane Dillon had done as in game one Oswego pulled off a huge shock as they were able to skate away with a 1-1 tie. The lone goal for the Lakers was from Kristen Metzger. In game 2 of the weekend it was Elmira coming out with a 3-1 victory, with Mackenzie Lee providing the lone goal for Oswego. However that weekend did get the Lakers recognition nationally as they had earned 2 votes in the USCHO Coaches Polls that week, a first in the history of the program.
The following weekend Oswego tried to gain more momentum on the road with a 2 game series at Cortland. All the Lakers could muster that weekend was a pair of ties. Game 1 of the weekend series ended in a 1-1 tie Mackenzie Lee again scoring the goal for the lakers. The next night it was a 2-2 tie for the Lakers as freshman goalie Catherine Cote got the start and gave up 2 goals on 16 shots. Lee and freshman forward Megan Howe provided the offense for the Lakers on this night. However the return to home ice the next weekend would not be as kind to Oswego as they fell in both games of the weekend set to Utica. Game 1 was a tough 2-1 loss with the lone goal coming of the stick of Kelly Collins. The next night Utica walked away with a 3-1 victory with the lone Oswego goal coming from Captain Kathryn Sbrocchi. Since that loss to Utica, the Lakers have come out like a house of fire and won 5 straight games.
The winning streak started the Tuesday before thanksgiving in a 5-1 victory over Hamilton college at home. Emi Williams got the win making 39 saves and the scoring was provided by Mackenzie Lee, who scored twice, Megan Big Snake, Lauren Gilpin and freshman Carly Henderson. After the american thanksgiving hit Potsdam came to town and Oswego took both games from the Bears. Game 1 was a 2-1 victory for Oswego with Emi williams making 33 saves and scoring coming from Olivia Boersen and the game winner scored short handed by Alex Szypryt. The next night Oswego's offense had a bit more of a spark to it, beating Potsdam by a 5-2 score. Kelly Collins scored a pair in the game with the 1st one coming 17 seconds into the contest. The other goal scorers were Emily Grippin, Jillian Bergeron, and Megan Howe.
The final weekend of the first half saw Division 1 Sacred Heart make the trip to the shores of Lake Ontario. Oswego's offense EXPLODED for a total of 12 goals in the 2 games. Game 1 saw Oswego dominate Sacred Heart by a score of 7-0. Scoring on this night was provided by Mackenzie Lee, who scored twice, Carly Henderson, Sarah Hannon and the 1st career goals for Mady Paul, Chelsea Hunt, and Jocelyn St. Clair. Game 2 of the series saw Catherine Cote get her 1st career start at home and her 1st career victory as Oswego won 5-2. Cote stopped 14 shots allowing 2 goals and the offense for Oswego was provided by Carly Henderson, Megan Howe (2 goals 1 assist) and Kelly Collins (2 Goals). A 5 game winning streak is the longest the program has ever had, and they end the 1st half of the season 6-4-3 overall and 2-3-3 in the ECAC West.
Leading the way on offense is transfer Mackenzie Lee who has 8 goals and 4 assists for 12 points. Freshman Megan Howe is 2nd on the team with 4 goals and 6 assist for 10 Points. Kelly Collins is 3rd in scoring with 6 goals and 2 assists for 8 points. The 2nd half of the season is going to be a good test for Coach Dillon's Lakers. The team returns to the ice January 14th and 15th with a weekend series at Neuman College against the Knights. Then January 19th the team travels to Hamilton College to take on the Continentals. Oswego returns to home ice on January 22nd and 23rd as they host Chatham. The 1st weekend road trip of the spring semester is going to be very tough as on January 29th and 30 Oswego has to travel to Stafford Ice Arena in Plattsburgh to take on the Nationally Ranked Cardinals, a homecoming of sorts for Mackenzie Lee who transfered here from Platty. Senior weekend rolls around on February 4th and 5th as the Bengals of Buffalo State make the trip to the Campus Center. The last road trip for Oswego is to Rochester to take on Nationally ranked RIT on February 11th and 12th. The final game of the regular season for the Lakers is February 22nd against Castleton State at the Campus Center. Playoffs begin for the ECAC West on February 26th and the top 6 teams in conference make the playoffs.
The one thing I have always noted Oswego State for is there heart. They will play every opponent tough night in and night out. The results may not have been there but the effort sure was. Now this season, the effort is still there, and the results on the scoreboard are different. Oswego has gotten that winning feeling in the locker room and it's showing on the ice. Play has been better and more crisp for the team, as the freshman and transfers are clicking great with the returning players. Everybody has a role and they are executing to the fullest. The big question for the team the rest of the way is will they be able to play the way they have against the top tier teams in conference such as Plattsburgh and RIT. Only one way to find out. Watch!
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