CORTLAND, N.Y.—No. 11 SUNY Cortland (7-0-1, 4-0-1 SUNYAC) used a big second period to defeat the SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (2-3, 1-3) 6-3 on Saturday afternoon. Freshman forward Elise Clifford (Auburn, N.Y. Syracuse Valley Eagles) and graduate student captain Kaylee Merrill (Wasilla, Alaska/Anchorage North Stars) and each scored a power-play goals for the Bears. The goal was the 61st of Merrill's career, tying her with Hall of Famer Jordan Ott '17 for the program's NCAA-era goals scored record. Graduate student forward Megan Teachout (Auburn, N.Y./Oswego State) also scored.
 
The Red Dragons outshot Potsdam 12-5 in the first period, thanks in part to two power plays. However, the Bears continued their strong defense this weekend, killing two penalties. Sophomore goalie Magalie Parent (Trois-Rivières, Quebec/Les Diablos – Cégep de Trois-Rivières) stopped all 12 shots she faced and the contest remained scoreless through 20 minutes.
 
Cortland broke out in the second period. Jillian Hlasnick ended the stalemate with a power-play goal at 3:18. The Red Dragons then scored four goals in a 5:15 span. Mia Hlasnick started the run at 12:39. Meggan Cramer scored at 14:23. Mia Hlasnick struck again at 16:10 and Jillian Hlasnick notched her second at 17:54. Senior Ellie Zurfluh (Arvada, Colo./Team Colorado) relieved Parent after the marker.
 
Teachout finally got the Bears on the board at 5:15 of the third period. Clifford kept the momentum going with a power-play goal at 11:58 to close the gap to 5-2. The goal was the first of her career. Senior defenseman Megan Sheehan (Akron, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) and Merrill picked up the assists. However, McKenzie Brown answered for Cortland on the man advantage just 1:29 later. With just 32 seconds remaining, Merrill netted career goal 61. Graduate student assistant captain Alex Quinn (Potsdam, N.Y./St. Lawrence Steel) assisted on the goal.
 
Parent allowed five goals and made 30 saves in the first 37:54. Zurfluh stopped 10 shots and allowed a goal in 22:06. Molly Goergen made 17 saves to earn the win for Cortland.
 
The two points move Merrill into a tie for fourth place with Jessica Silveira '14 on the program's NCAA-era scoring list with 83.
 
The Bears are back in action on Tuesday, when they begin a two-game series with Trine University at 5 p.m.