Oswego State Men's Hockey 2010-2011 Season Recap

The 2010-2011 season proved to be another very successful one for the Oswego State Lakers. Even thought it didn't end with a National Championship, still getting back to the Final 4 was a very big accomplishment. The year started with the addition of new players added to the lineup to replace some of the talent lost from last season. And the team didn't disappoint.

The year started off with, in reality it wasn't very much of a contest, a 17-0 whooping of the GMHL All-Stars in an exhibition at the Campus Center. The regular season officially kicked off with a 4-1 win over Elmira at home on October 22nd. The next night both teams met again, this time from the Murray Athletic Center in Elmira. The result was the same as the night before, with Oswego picking up the 4-2 victory. Halloween weekend was the kickoff of a 5-Game homestand for the club, with the team going 5-0 during that time. IT all started October 29th with a 5-2 win over Buffalo State. October 30th produced a 3-0 victory over Fredonia. Paul Beckiwth got the win making 17 saves for his 1st career shutout. Oswego went a perfect 4-0 in the month of October.

November rolled around and the first weekend proved to be the biggest home weekend of the year as Potsdam and Plattsburgh made their annual trip to the shores of Lake Ontario. Potsdam was 1st up on November 5th in a 7-1 beatdown by the Lakers. Paul Beckwith made 33 saves, Justin Fox scored a pair and Luke Moodie connected for a natural hat trick. The big game however was the next night as on November 6th Oswego and Plattsburgh added another chapter to the storied rivalry. For the 4th consecutive game, Oswego took down their archrivals by a 5-3 score. Luke Moodie and Andrew Mather gave the Lakers the early lead but Plattsburgh came back to tie the game at the end of the 1st. The middle frame was quiet and the offenses erupted in the 3rd. Tyler Leimbrock gave the Lakers the 1 goal lead before Dylan Clarke tied it a few moments later. Then late in the 3rd Ian Boots connected for his 4th of the year to give Oswego the lead, and in doing so became an instant fan favorite. Owen Kelly capped the game off with an empty netter.

After taking down the Cards Oswego's next challange was Cortland in the last game of the homestand. Oswego showed no after effects beating the Red Dragons 6-1. The next night Oswego took their show on the road. November 13th the date. The opponent was the Utica Pioneers at Utica. As has usually been the case Utica gave Oswego a fight but the Lakers came away with the 3-1 victory on the start of a 4-game road trip. Oswego had one more game before the thanksgiving break and it turned into another victory on November 20th with a 4-2 victory at Morrisville. Then December rolled around and came a semi-west road trip to Brockport and Geneseo. Another weekend another pair of wins for Oswego, a 4-2 win on December 3rd over Broackport and a 4-0 victory over Geneseo on December 4th. The 4-0 shutout against Geneseo was the 2nd of the season, and 2nd of the career for Paul Beckwith. However that win in Geneseo came at a price as Paul Beckwith would be lost for the next 3 weeks with a collar bone injury.

So the goaltending duties were handed over to Dan Jones for the next little while. His first career start came on December 10th at home against Utica. This night was in the Lakers favor as they pulled out a narrow 2-1 victory giving Dan Jones his 1st career win. With the win oswego extended it's overall record to 12-0. That streak would be snapped the next night as in Hobart on December 11th Oswego suffered its first defeat of the season a 5-2 loss to the Hobart Statesman. So Oswego ended the 1st half of the season at 12-1-0.

During winter break Oswego's struggles seemed to continue a bit as in the start of the Pathfinder Bank Oswego Hockey Classic the Lakers were defeated by Hamilton College 5-1 on Home Ice. That loss was the 1st loss on Home Ice since February 20th 2007 in a 4-2 loss to Potsdam. On New Years Eve Oswego got back on track with a 6-1 win over Wisconsin-Stevens Point. After this win Oswego would rattle of 2 straight shutouts. First came on January 4th with a 2-0 shutout over Skidmore College, which was the 1st career shutout for Dan Jones, then on January 8th a 3-0 shutout of Curry College. The win over Curry was the first win as a Laker and the 1st career shutout for Andrew Hare.

Oswego kicked off the 2nd half of the season, and a return to conference play with a 5 game road trip. IT started on January 22nd with a win at Buffalo State by a 4-1 score. The following night at Geneseo, Oswego needed to find an overtime hero. The Lakers had a 4-1 lead going into the 3rd period, but were unable to hold the lead as the Ice Knights came back to tie the game and force overtime. That is when Paul Rodrigues made his mark as he ripped home a one-timer a minute into OT to win the game for the Lakers.

Oswego kept it's winning ways going the last weekend in January, this time in Northern New York. It started on January 28th with a 8-1 win over Potsdam. January 29th was the anticipated rematch with the rival Plattsburgh Cardnials. Plattsburgh outplayed Oswego for most of the hockey game but the Lakers were able to skate away with the 4-3 victory. For the 2nd time in 2 years Oswego was outplayed by the Cardnials in PLattsburgh but were able to come away with a victory. Oswego ended the 5-game road trip with another OT thriller this time a comback victory at Cortland on February 4th. Oswego took a quick 1-0 lead on a early goal from Jon Whitelaw but by the end of the 1st Cortland had a 2-1 lead. They would stretch the lead to 3-1 early in the 3rd but late goals by Luke Moodie and Dan Bremner tied the game and sent it to Overtime. With 1 minute left in OT Paul Rodrigeus struck again roofing a wrist shot on a breakaway to win the game 4-3. It was the 2nd OT winner for Rodriges on the year.

The Lakers returned home from the 5 game trip on February 12th only to run into a road block. The visiting Morrisville Mustangs pulled off the surprising upset by a 5-2 score. Oswego responded in a very big way on Senior Weekend. February 18th Oswego pounded Brockport 7-1, capped of by 2 goals and an assist from Ian Boots. The next night was senior night and boy did the seniors go out with a bang. Geneseo was the opponent and they where whooped by a score of 7-1. Chris Laganiere had a hat trick and Ian Boots had 5 assists. Oswego had seemed to hit their stride.

SUNYAC Playoffs rolled around and Oswego's 1st opponent was the Fredonia Blue Devils. The night didn't go the way Oswego wanted as the Blue Devils came in and pulled of the shocking 2-1 overtime victory. Oswego was the #1 seed in the SUNYAC tournement and got shocked on home ice. However Oswego's record was good enough to get them back into the NCAA Tournment for the 2nd straight year. Oswego had not been in back-to-back NCAA tournments since 1987-1988-1989.

The first round for Oswego was a rematch of last years first round against the Bowdin Polar Bears. This year was the same result as last, an Oswego Victory. This year it was a 7-5 victory for the Lakers propelling them to a 2nd straight Final 4 apperance, something that Oswego has never done before. And of course we all know what happened with that one. There was a major milestone reached during the season, as Senior Chris Laganiere joined the Oswego State 100 point club, finishing his career with 101 points.

Now I think I can speak for most Oswego State Hockey fans when I say this. To the seniors on this years team: Kevin Huinink, Chris Laganiere, Stephen Mallaro, Justin Fox, Joe Hall, Owen Kelly, and Dan Bremner. Guys it has been a real honor and pleasure watching you play over the last 4 years. You have made a major impact on this program, this team, this college, this community, and everybody who has ever had the previladge to watch you play. Gentleman thank you so very much for the memories.

Oswego State Hockey Season Ends With 5-3 Loss To Adrian in NCAA Semifinal

(Photo courtesy of Oswego State Sports Information)

After 6 months of grueling hockey, the Oswego State Lakers 2010-2011 hockey season came to an end thanks to the Adrian Bulldogs. The following story is courtesy of the Oswego State Sports Information Department.

The Oswego State men’s ice hockey team tied the game against Adrian 1:18 into the third period, but a Bulldog goal just over a minute later proved to the game-winner as the Lakers fell, 5-3, in the NCAA Division III Men’s Ice Hockey Semifinal contest on Friday afternoon at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. Oswego State saw its season end at 23-5-0, while Adrian improved to 25-3-1.

The Lakers had two odd-skater rushes early in the first period, but were unable to get quality shots on Bulldog goaltender Brad Fogal. Scoring started midway through the frame when Adrian went on the power play at 12:39 after Oswego State was whistled for a tripping penalty. The Bulldogs capitalized on the opportunity as Laker goaltender Paul Beckwith stopped the initial shot by Joel Workman. However, Zach Graham was ready to pounce on the rebound to give Adrian the early 1-0 lead at 14:19. Brad Houston also received an assist on the play.

The Bulldogs struck again with 14.9 seconds remaining in the period when Andrew Dovey took control of an Oswego State turnover in its defensive zone. His shot from the left face-off circle found its way just inside the right post to put Adrian ahead 2-0 at the break.

Oswego State went on the attack 49 seconds into the second frame when the Bulldogs committed an interference penalty. Stephen Mallaro’s blast from the center of the blue line clanged off the top of the crossbar, but Andrew Mather one-timed a pass from Mallaro at the right face-off circle at 17:25 to pull the Lakers to within one. Jon Whitelaw was also credited with an assist on the play.

Adrian had another power-play chance at 8:26 after a boarding penalty, and it took 22 seconds for the Bulldogs to score as Shawn Skelly’s shot went between Beckwith’s legs into the back of the net to regain the two-goal edge. Oswego State had another extra-skater opportunity at 11:15 after a tripping penalty was called, but came up empty.

However, Adrian sent another skater to the penalty box shortly after the tripping penalty expired. Mather made the Bulldogs pay as he wristed a pass from Whitelaw into the top right-hand corner of the goal at 14:45 to make the score 3-2. Chris Laganiere received the second assist on the goal, which proved to be the last marker of the period.

All-American Ian Boots leveled the score 1:18 into the third period when he wristed a shot high glove-side past Fogal after he was fed a pass from David Titanic and Andrew Mather. Adrian answered back quickly at 2:23 when Skelly scored his second goal of the game with an assist going to Miller.

Both squads had power-play chances midway through the period to either cushion the lead or level the score. Oswego State controlled the puck in its offensive end for much of the way down the stretch, but were unable to find the back of the net, forcing the Lakers to call timeout with 1:12 to play and pull Beckwith. The Bulldogs added an empty-net goal with 42.6 seconds left by Mike Towns after a pass from Kyle Watson. Oswego State left the goal empty after facing a two-goal deficit, but could not capitalize.

Paul Beckwith finished the game with 26 saves, while Brad Fogal ended with 39 stops.


With the loss the team season came to an end, and so did the careers of 7 Seniors: Joe Hall, Stepehen Mallaro, Owen Kelly, Justin Fox, Dan Bremner, Kevin Huinink, and Chris Laganiere. Guys it has been a real honor and pleasure to watch the 7 of you play over the past few years. It's been a lot of fun. Thanks for the memories boys. Stay tuned to Solly on Sports for a complete season recap!

Oswego State Women's Hockey 2010-2011 Season Recap

In a season of Change for the Oswego State Women's Hockey team, nobody knew what to expect when the season started. The season ended last weekend with new heights reached for the program. The team ended with new club records for wins with 13 and a few other surprises.

The season started with an exhibition against the Aurora Panthers and a 6-2 victory. The 2010-2011 campaign officially got underway with a 2-game weekend series at Adrian College. Game 1 resulted in a 2-0 loss. Game 2 then turned in favor of the Lakers picking up their first win of the year 3-1. First goal of the year came of the stick of Kelly Collins 3:30 into the hockey game. At the beginning of November the first homestand of the season came in the form of a 2-game set against Nationally Ranked Elmira College, who Oswego has had problems with in the past. 1st game of the series Oswego stuns everybody by walking away with a 1-1 tie on home ice. Elmira took the lead on a Tori Charron goal a little over 9 minutes into the 3rd. Oswego roared back 5 minutes later thanks to Kristin Metzger's late game heroics. Nobody could score the rest of the game and Oswego was able to earn a point. The next afternoon however was a different story as Elmira seemed to find their game again and take down the Lakers 3-1, with Mackenzie Lee getting the lone Tally for Oswego. That performance by Oswego was good enough to get them votes in the USCHO National Coaches poll for the first time ever. The rest of November saw Oswego drop both of their games to Utica College on Home Ice, 2-1 and 3-1 scores respectively. They followed that up by going on the road and tying both games at Cortland 1-1 and 2-2.

The last game before the thanksgiving break was just what the Lakers needed as it was a 5-1 victory over Hamilton College on home ice. Providing the offense on this night would be Carly Henderson, Lauren Gilpin, Meagan Big Snake, and a pair from Mackenzie Lee. This win would kick off what would be a 5-game winning streak to end the first half of the season. After knocking off Hamilton, Oswego went on to take down Potsdamn, by scores of 2-1 and 5-2, then beat Sacred Heart for the first time ever, 7-0 and 5-2. During that span, Oswego got 2 goal performances from 3 different playes. Kelly Collins had 2 seperate 2 goal games during the span (12/4 vs Potsdam and 12/11 vs Sacred Heart). Also Megan Howe (12/11 vs Sacred Heart) and Mackenzie Lee (12/10 vs Sacred Heart) had 2 goal games. So Oswego ended the first half of the year at a record of 6-4-3 and 2-4-3 in ECAC West play.

Riding high of the 5-game winning streak to end the first half Oswego could not keep up that momentum to start the 2nd Half as they split a weekend road trip to Neumann. The first game went in favor of the Knights 3-1 while Oswego turned around the next day and beat Neumann by the same 3-1 score. Oswego then kept the 3 game road trip going to Hamilton College, however it was in a losing effort as Hamilton walked away with a 7-4 victory. The Lakers started the 2nd half of the season at home with a weekend sweep of Chatham University on the 22nd and 23rd of January. On the 22nd Emi Williams picked up the shutout as Oswego rolled over Chatham 6-0. Scoring for the Lakers were Kelly Collins, Jillian Bergeron, Megan Howe, Carly Henderson, Emily Grippin and Melissa Seamont. The following afternoon Oswego hung another 6-spot on the Cougars, rolling to a 6-2 victory. Emi Williams was again victorious in net and providing the offense was a pair of goals from Lauren Gilpin, Kelly Collins, Mackenzie Lee, Jillian Bergeron and Megan Howe.

Oswego ended the Month of January at one of the toughest buildings in Division 3 hockey to play in, the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena in Plattsburgh against the Plattsburgh State Cardinals. The closer of the 2 games came on January 28th as Plattsburgh walked away with a 2-1 victory. Brenna Weber scored Oswego's lone goal. The next day Plattsburgh's offense erupted for 6 goals as they downed the Lakers 6-2. Mackenzie Lee scored both of Oswego's goals.Oswego's final weekend series happened to be senior weekend as Buffalo State made the trip to the Campus Center. Oswego took the first game of the set by a 3-1 score. Emi williams got the win and got offensive support from Kelly Collins, Brenna Weber, and Sarah Hannon. Senior day was the next day and the team got to send the Seniors out right. Oswego beat Buff. State 3-0. Emi Williams got her 4th career shutoout and Kelly Collins, Sarah Hannon, and Carly Henderson provided the offense.

Next up was the toughest test of all for the Lakers, the final road trip of the season to Frank Ritter Arena to play, at the time, teh #1 ranked RIT TIgers. RIT took the 1st game of the weekend by a 3-1 score. Oswego had set the tone with Jillian Bergeron scoring 21 seconds into the game, but RIT was too much on this night and scored 3 unanswered to take it. The next day proved to be the greatest game in the history of this program as Oswego did what many thought was impossible. They beat the best team in the nation the RIT Tigers by a score of 2-1. Mackenzie Lee and Olivia Boersen provided the offense and Emi Williams made 46 saves to preserve the victory. RIT outshot the Lakers 47-10 but Oswego held on long enough for the victory. After this game RIT was no longer undefeated and no longer #1 in the nation. It was by far the biggest win in the history of the Oswego State Women's Hockey Team. The regular season ended with a 4-1 win over Caselton State at home, before losing in the playoffs to Neumann in double OT.

Oswego finished the season with an overall record of 13-10-3 and a 8-7-3 recored in ECAC West play. The 13 wins recorded by the team is a new club record. Leading the team in scoring this year was Transfer Mackenzie Lee with 15 goals and 24 points. The 15 Goals Lee scored tied the single season club record for goals, which was set by Jessica Lister in 2006-2007. Lee's 24 Points is now the single season record for the Lakers. Originally the record had been 22 points in a season which was set by Jessica Lister in 2006-2007 by Lee beat the record by 2 points. Coming in 2nd in scoring was Freshman Megan Howe, who recorded 7 goals and 12 assists good for 19 points. Howe's 12 assists ties the single season assists record, along with the 12 helpers Erica Shapey had in 2007-2008. Jillian Bergeron and Kelly Collins now move into a 4-way tie for 2nd place in program history in total points with 36. They join Stephanie Esposito and Angie Friesen. They trail the programs all time leading scorer Jenna Kirkwood by 11 points heading into next season.

This was the final season of play for 5 seniors on the club, Goalie Emi Williams, Defensmen Brenna Weber and Megan Big Snake and Forwards Sarah Hannon and Emily Grippin. First we start with Emi Williams. Williams finishes her college career having played in 65 games a career record of 24-36-3 with 7 Shutouts a 2.56 GAA, and a .921 SV%. Emi has been the backbone of the team for the past 4 years and will be sourly missed in net. As for the blueline the team says goodbye to Brenna Weber (77 GP 4G 12A 16P) and Megan Big Snake (77 GP 1G 5A 6P). Both have been solid defensemen over the last 4 years. Both have done a great job of shutting down the oposition and making Emi William's job a little bit easier. Finally the forwards Emily Grippin (90 GP 13G 12A 25P), and Sarah Hannon (93 PG 10G 12A 22P). Grippin was one of the team's most reliable centers and without a doubt the fastest skater on the club, while Hannon was one of the more hard working forwards. The two without a doubt are going to leave a big hole to fill on the PK unit next season.


Ladies Thank You SO MUCH for the memories this past season. It was truly an honor and a privlege to watch the team this year. And to the Seniors; thank you so much for your dedication and passion over the past 4 years. This team, this college, and this town will miss you all very much We wish you nothing but the best of luck in all your future endovures.

Oswego State Women's Hockey Season Ends With a Double-Overtime Loss to Neumann College

There is an old saying that goes all good things must come to an end. This past weekend a good thing ended as the Oswego State Women's Hockey Season is over after a crushing double overtime loss to Neumann College in the first round of the ECAC West playoffs. The story is courtesy of the Oswego State Sports Information Department:

Neumann's Mariah Fairgrieve scored the game-winning goal with three seconds remaining on a power play in the second overtime, as the Oswego State women's ice hockey team fell 2-1 in the ECAC West Play-In game Saturday afternoon in Aston, Pa. The Lakers tied the game early in the second period, as neither team ended the stalemate before the end of regulation. Oswego State completed its best season in program history finishing the season with a record of 13-10-3, while Neumann (16-6-4) will face Plattsburgh in the ECAC Semifinal round.

Jessica Schroeder tallied the game's first goal midway through the first period 29 seconds into a Laker power play after received a feed from Jennie Greenlee to put the Knights ahead 1-0.

Kelly Collins lit the lamp 3:29 into the second period when Oswego State took advantage of a Neumann unsportsmanlike conduct infraction. Collins got a pass from Jillian Bergeron and Carly Henderson for her 13th goal of the season to make the score 1-1 at the end of two frames. The Knights had four power-play chances during the stanza, but the Laker penalty kill unit prevented Neumann from converting any of those opportunities.

After a scoreless and penalty-free third period, the contest went into overtime. However, one extra frame was not enough as the game went into a second overtime frame. Fairgrieve received a pass from Schroeder to end the Laker season 13:18 into the second overtime.

Oswego State goaltender Emi Williams completed her stellar collegiate career with a 35 saves, while Knight goalie Shannon Donnelly registered 23 saves.


Oswego State has nothing to be ashamed of at all, putting up very impressive numbers during the course of the season. Stay tuned to the blog for a season recap coming up next.

(Photo and story courtesy of Oswego State Sports Information)