POTSDAM, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team squandered a
three-goal lead but recovered Sunday for a 4-3 victory over Utica in a
pivotal Eastern College Athletic Conference West contest at Maxcy Hall.

Freshman Jessica Silveira (Brampton, Ontario) grabbed a rebound in front
of the net and sent it past the goaltender for what proved to be the
game-winning goal with 12:20 remaining in the contest. Junior Brandi
Atwell (Cornwall, Ontario) assisted on the play.

With the win, the Bears (8-11-1 overall, 4-9 ECAC West) hold sole
possession of seventh place in the conference with eight points, four
behind the Pioneers for the final spot in the ECAC West playoffs.

With just five games remaining in the season, Potsdam will need to earn at
least four points and get help to qualify for the postseason. Players and
coaches realize the importance of every possible point going forward.

Potsdam took full advantage of a pair of power play opportunities in the
first period. Just under four minutes into the game, freshman Emma
Smetaniuk (Frankford, Ontario) took a feed in front of the net and gave
the Bears the first goal of the contest. Junior Breanna Roy (Orleans,
Ontario) put Potsdam ahead 2-0 on a shot from just in front of the blue
line with 9:10 to play in the frame.

The Bears took a three-goal advantage when junior Stephanie Simons
(Stratford, Ontario) scored in a short-handed situation with just 18
seconds left on the clock. The tally was Simons' seventh of the season.

Utica (10-7, 6-6) scored three unanswered goals, including two power-play
tallies, in the second, tying the game at 3-3 at the 8:18 mark.

Sophomore goaltender Jen Conophy (Glenmont, N.Y.) finished with 31 saves
for her sixth win of the season. Silveira totaled two points, while
freshman Brittany Lucky (Kanata, Ontario) and Jenn Crawford (Burlington,
Ontario) each added an assist.

The Bears return to the ice this Wednesday, Feb. 2, at conference rival
Plattsburgh. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Plattsburgh, N.Y.