POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (6-13-4, 2-12-4 SUNYAC) scored twice in the first and second periods and made it stand up in a 4-3 win over Buffalo State (6-17-2, 2-14-2) in the teams' season finale. Bears graduate student forward
Kaylee Merrill (Wasilla, Alaska/Anchorage North Stars) scored two goals for the 17th and final time in her career.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Freshman defenseman Sequoia Recollet-Nebenionquit (Naughton, Ontario/Sudbury Lady Wolves) picked up a Potsdam clearing attempt at the right point, skated into the circle and fired high into the top of the net. Buffalo State led 1-0 at 10:02 of the first period.
- The Bears answered just 1:42 later, while on the power play. Junior defenseman Victoria Proulx (Rockland, Ontario/Post University) fed Merrill. She fired through a crowd from the left circle and beat Bengals senior goalie Jessic Auge (Laingsburg, Mich./Honeybaked Detroit) to tie the game.
- Potsdam took a 2-1 lead at 18:25 as sophomore defenseman Jessika Bullock (Norfolk, N.Y./Adirondack 46ers) went end-to-end and evaded Auge. Sophomore defenseman Elise Clifford (Auburn, N.Y./Syracuse Valley Eagles) and junior forward Alessia Marandola (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Jr. Hornets) had the assists.
- The Bears scored twice in the second period.
- Graduate student forward Rebecca Holmes (Lawtons, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) scored on a breakaway at 10:13 after a long pass from graduate student forward Rylee Garrow (Akwesasne, Quebec/St. Lawrence Steel).
- Merrill added another goal to her program record, No. 68, at 11:40. Freshman forward Olivia Visco (West Seneca, N.Y./Nichols School) had the assist.
- The Bengals got within 4-2 on the power play, just 20 seconds into the third period. Freshman forward Kaydence Kemp (Niagara Falls, Ontario/Niagara Falls Rapids) tipped a shot from freshman defenseman Laney Harrold (Hubbardston, Mass./Portsmouth Abbey) past Bears senior goalie Hannah Barrett (Tonawanda, N.Y./Niagara Jr. Eagles). Recollet-Nebenionquit had the second assist.
- Harrold scored on a shot from the left point at 17:00 to make it a one-goal game with an assist from junior forward Vanessa Willick (Williamsville, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons).
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- The Bears outshot the Bengals 31-25.
- Both teams went 1-for-3 on the power play.
- Barrett stopped 25 shots for her 11th career victory.
- Auge made 31 saves for Buffalo State.
KAYLEE MERRILL
- With her two points today, she now has 93 for her career (68g, 25a), tying her with Annmarie Lewis '12 for second place on the program's NCAA-era all-time scoring list.
- Merrill was named the Potsdam women's hockey program's first All-American in 2023.
- She was the NEWHL'S Player of the Year in 2023 and three time all-conference.
- She holds the program's records for goals (68), goals-per-game (0.66), game-winning goals (13), shorthanded goals (5), games played (103), single-season points (39), single-season points-per-game (1.56), single-season goals (27), single-season goals-per-game (1.08), single season game-winning goals (6) and single-season shorthanded goals (2).
SENIOR DAY
Prior to the contest the Bears honored seniors
Hannah Barrett,
Sara Barrett (Tonawanda, N.Y./Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) and Garrow.