That was last year. This year, things look a whole lot different. Last year, the team surprised a lot of people by getting to the playoffs, and even finishing .500, with a short roster. The team only had 17 players, so if anybody really got hurt, that put the team at a distinct disadvantage. They still got it done and made the playoffs.
That was last season. This year, head coach Diane Dillon has a full 23 player roster to work with. After last season, Oswego only lost one player due to graduation, that senior defenseman Brea Reith. Reith broughtt a very physical presence to that blueline. With that missing, Dillon and the coaching staff had some big skates to fill. They did that and then some heading into this year.
For most hockey teams, success starts with goaltending. Oswego has that. All three netminders from last yeas squad are back for this season. Senior Cathrine Cote missed almost all of last year with a shoulder injury, but is now back, fully healthy and ready to make an impact again in net. Of course she will be competing with Junior standout Bridget Smith, who carried the bulk of the work load in net a season ago. In her career, Smith has the highest winning percentage and 2nd most shutouts in school history. So Smith and Cote are going to be fighting it out for the number one job. Finally there's Sophmore Tori Trovato, who did a great job as a freshman filling in for the injured Cote. So the goaltending situation is solid heading into this year.
On defense, the loss of Reith has an impact. But the team still has their top three defenders back in the lineup, in the form of Seniors Jocelyn St. Clair, Leslie Jarvis and Chelsa Hunt. Their calming influence and experience will be of great value to a solid hockey club. Plus throw in the experience of Sophomore Jayme McCreary, and you've got a solid top four defenseman. McCreary has the year experience under her belt, proving to be a solid stay at home defenseman. Now with Reith gone, and some younger legs on the team, there's a little more competition for playing time on the line. The coaching staff has brought in three new defenseman who will be playing for the final two spots on the blueline. Coming into the mix are freshman Alli Ullrich, Monica Patten, Kendall Appelbaum and junior Monique Cornett, all of whom will be competing for playing time on defense. Having this mix of veteran leadership and youthfulness is going to be huge for Oswego.
But wait there's more. In order for a hockey team to be a success, you have to be able to score. The squad brings back its leading scorers from a year ago in the form of seniors Alternate Captain Mady Paul, Captain Olivia Boreson and team leading scorer Melissa Seamont. Also coming back are Megan Hagg, Emma Smetaniuk, Bailee Goodon and Lizzy Marks, who help power a pretty dynamic offense. Now there is some new blood coming in to help balance the offensive attack. Joining the forward ranks for this years team are going to be Erika Truschke, Bridget Hamlin, Alexa Aramburu, Ashley Lyman, Brennan Butler and finally Monica Patten.
This new crop of players brings in a mix of size, speed and scoring touch. Oswego, at times seems to be out played in the physical department, but now they seemed to add the size they need to be able to compete with some of the top teams in the country like Elmira and Plattsburgh. Does Oswego have enough talent here to make a deep playoff run? Absolutely they do. There's a lot of talent on this hockey team, with a good mix of youth and veteran leadership. Last year they surprised a lot of people making it as far as they did with what they had. Now they have a full roster, with a good mix of size, speed and strength. If they can nstay healthy, Oswego is going to be a force in the ECAC West this season!
(photo and some of the story provided by the Oswego State Sports Information Department)
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