The Oswego State women’s ice hockey team is looking to build on last season’s success with strong returners and talented newcomers. Oswego had an overall record of 16-8-2 and a conference record of 10-6-2 in 2016-17.
Last season, the Lakers started off hot, opening the season with a 6-2 win over New England College to spark a six-game win streak. The win streak included a 6-0 win over Chatham during Homecoming/Alumni Weekend and two wins over ECAC West foe Cortland.
No. 1 Plattsburgh eventually gave the Lakers their first loss, but the Lakers handed the Cardinals a loss of their own the next day. The loss snapped the defending national champions’ 13-game winning streak and their 24-game win streak at home.
Oswego ended the season with an appearance in the ECAC West Championship. It was the seventh-consecutive year that the team made the postseason, earning the fifth seed in the league’s tournament.
Women’s hockey is returning some of their top talent from 2016-17. Olivia Ellis, who will be a senior during the 2017-18 season, led the team in both points (36) and assists (22) last year. Mariah Madrigal will be returning for her senior year as well. The goaltender had five shutouts during the season and a .925 save percentage.
Oswego is also looking to build on its success with new talent. Leah Czerwinski, Emma Morisette, Jean-marie Padden, Philomena Teggart, Jordan Emerson and Katie Mlostek will be joining the Lakers for the 2017-18 season.
Czerwinski, Morisette and Padden join the team as forwards. Czerwinski played last season for Williamsville High School, where she ended the season with 31 points, and for the Buffalo Bison U19 team. The women’s hockey coaching staff were particularly impressed by her work ethic and team-first attitude.
Morisette, who is a two-way forward, competed last year with the Honeybaked Hockey Club (based in Mich.) She helped her team reach the 2017 Championships in April.
Padden played last year as well, helping the NJ Rockets U19 squad make a run towards the 2017 NEWJHL Championship. Her hard-nosed style of play helped her finish last season with 50 points (32 G, 18 A).
The Lakers added Teggart, Emerson and Mlostek on defense. Teggart joins Oswego after playing a post-graduate year for the Durham West Jr. Lightning in the PWHL in 2016-17. She played 51 games for the Lightning last season, and will provide strength and size for the Lakers’ blueline in the upcoming campaign.
Emerson played last season as a post-graduate in the PWHL as well. She played in 47 games for the Nepean Wildcats. The Oswego State coaching staff is looking forward to the experience and knowledge that she will bring to the team.
Like Morisette, Mlostek comes to the Lakers from Mich. She played as a post-graduate with the Lansing Spartans U19 team during the 2016-17 season. During the season, she had one goal and 10 assists. Her long reach and defensive mindset will benefit the Lakers’ blueline.
With a mix of returners and new talent, the Lakers will look to improve on last season’s success during the 2017-18 season. The team kicks off the season on Oct. 21 with an exhibition game against the Toronto Midget Aeros.
