POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women’s ice hockey team (3-8-1) rallied
from an early deficit to defeat Saint Michael’s College (1-8-1) 3-1 on
Saturday afternoon. The Bears got goals from sophomore forwards Alexandra
Holowka (Winnepeg, Manitoba/Balmoral Hall) and Izzy Fayerman (Calgary,
Alberta/The Edge) and junior forward Jenn Crawford (Burlington,
Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres).
The Purple Knights jumped out in front just 45 seconds into the game.
Sophomore defenseman Maire Bartkus (Action, Mass./Northfield Mount Hermon)
fired a shot from the left point that hit Bears junior goalie Dawna
Salvarinas (Mississauga, Ontario/Brampton Thunder) in the blocker and
flutter up into the net. Potsdam responded with their own pressure, but
Saint Mike’s senior goalie Erin Stevens (Watertown, Conn./Connecticut
Polar Bears) continued her strong play. Potsdam finally broke through at
15:34 as Crawford found herself all alone with the puck on the right side
of the net and stuck it just under the crossbar to tie the score. Holowka
recorded the assist on the play. The Bears outshot the Purple Knights 19-6
in the opening period.
Potsdam continued to dominate the play in the second period, but Stevens
kept the Bears’ offense at bay until midway through. At the 10:32 mark,
Fayerman beat Stevens with a high shot from the left side of the net for
the eventual game-winner. Junior forward Amanda Lucky (Kanata,
Ontario/Clarkson University) and freshman forward Sally Mooney (New
Albany, Ohio/Wyoming Seminary) each assisted on the goal. The Bears didn’t
let up, posting 17-6 advantage in shots, but led by just one after 40
minutes.
Holowka sealed the win just 2:56 into the period, scoring on a shot from
the top of the right face-off circle that slipped under Stevens’ right
pad. Saint Mike’s pulled Stevens with 1:15 left, but couldn’t draw any
closer.
Salvarinas, the reigning ECAC West Goalie of the Week, made 16 saves to
earn her third victory of the season. Stevens finished with 42 saves,
giving her 82 on the weekend. Potsdam was 0-3 on the man advantage and
Saint Mike’s was 0-4.
The Bears are off until Jan. 4-5, when they travel to South Burlington,
Vt. for the Double Tree Ice Hockey Classic hosted by Saint Michael’s.
Potsdam faces Nichol’s College on Friday at 4 p.m. and the host Purple
Knights at the same time on Saturday.
