POTSDAM, N.Y.--Junior forward
Kaylee Merrill (Wasilla, Alaska, N.Y./Anchorage North Stars) scored twice and sophomore goalie
Ellie Zurfluh (Aravada, Colo./Team Colorado) made 41 saves, but Oswego State (14-7-1, 11-4-1 NEWHL) rallied for a 3-2 victory over the SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (8-14-1, 6-10-1) on Tuesday night.
Oswego used two power-play opportunities to take over the first period. The Lakers got their offense rolling on the first just two minutes into the contest. They tested Zurfluh from the points and in close, but she hung tough until the man advantage was over. Oswego's offense slowed a bit at even strength, but picked up again on its second power play with 5:22 to go. After Zurfluh frustrated the Lakers several more times, senior defenseman Philomena Teggart (Pickering, Ontario/Dunham West Jr. Lightning) fired a low shot from the middle of the blue line. A screened Zurfluh never saw the puck as it snuck between her pads at 16:01. Zurfluh made 17 stops in the opening 20 minutes and Potsdam trailed 1-0 at the intermission.
The Lakers started the second period with more pressure, but Zurfluh continued to keep them off the board. Oswego skillfully killed a Potsdam power play early in the middle stanza, but a second Bears' man advantage got Potsdam going. The Bears didn't score during the opportunity, but Merrill tied the game at 11:38 with an assist from junior forward
Megan Teachout (Auburn, N.Y./Oswego State). Four minutes later, sophomore defenseman
Rebecca Holmes (Lawtons, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) fed Merrill in the neutral zone. She carried the puck to the top of the right faceoff circle and fired. Oswego sophomore goalie Joanna Hiebert (Highland, Mich./Meijer) got a piece of the shot, but the puck popped up in the air and dropped down in the net behind her for a shorthanded marker. Zurfluh made 15 more saves in the period and Potsdam led 2-1 after 40 minutes.
Third period was the most evenly played of the contest, but the Lakers capitalized on their best opportunities. Sophomore forward Morgan Shines (Marengo, Ill./Chicago Missions) beat Zurfluh stick-side in the slot to tie the game at 4:58. At 12:28, Potsdam was called for roughing and Oswego made the most of the chance. Junior forward Ariella Haas (Albany, N.Y./Elmira College) scored the eventual game-winner on the power play at 13:31. Potsdam pulled Zurfluh for an extra attacker with 30 seconds left, but couldn't find the equalizer.
Hiebert finished with 20 saves for the win. Oswego was 2-for-5 on the power play and the Bears were 0-for-6.
Potsdam wraps up the regular season at home on Sunday at 2 p.m. against Morrisville State.
