UTICA, N.Y.-Utica College (6-5-3, 4-2-2 ECAC West) scored a power-play goal with 1:35 remaining to edge the SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (6-9-1, 4-7-1) 3-2 on Friday night. Sophomore forward Jordan Ott (Hilton, N.Y./Rochester Edge) and junior assistant captain Sally Mooney (New Albany, Ohio/Wyoming Seminary) each scored for the Bears.
Utica opened the scoring with a goal from Gabrielle Schnepp at 11:41 of the first period. Potsdam went on the power play less than five minutes later and took advantage. Ott evened the score with assists from junior forward Alison Greene (Massena, N.Y./Norwich University) and junior assistant captain Katie Marsman (Wantagh, N.Y./Wyoming Seminary). The teams combined to fire 32 shots on net, but couldn’t solve Bears junior goalie Alexane Rodrigue (Monkland, Ontario/Bemidji State) or Pioneer goaltender Keira Goin again before the intermission.
The first half of the middle period saw penalty after penalty for each opponent, but again it was the Potsdam making the most of its opportunity. At 10:37, Mooney gave the Bears the lead on helpers from junior forward Natasha Allen (Aspen, Colo./Ontario Hockey Academy) and Marsman. Potsdam outshot Utica 10-6 in the second period, but led just 2-1 after 40 minutes.
A defensive breakdown in the Bears’ zone led to Morgan Reed tying the game 15 seconds into the third. The goaltenders and defense settled in after the goal and kept the score even until the final two minutes. With 1:58 on the clock, the Pioneers were awarded a final power play. Just 23 seconds later, Nicole Schwartz found the back of the net for the decisive tally. Potsdam pulled Rodrigue with 1:09 remaining, but couldn’t find the equalizer.
“We played well as a whole,” said Bears assistant coach Kevin McFarland ’12, who praised several players after the game. “Alexane would be my no. 1 star of the contest. She made big saves at critical times. Jordan Ott carried us offensively and Jaci Morr (Monroe, Mich./Team Detroit) had an outstanding game. Amanda Peterson (West Chazy, N.Y./Chazy Flyers) showed great endurance for us, especially at the end when our bench was getting short. And Katie Marsman is stepping up to lead the defense and is really playing with confidence.”
Rodrigue finished with 32 saves and Goin earned her fourth win of the season with 35 stops.
The Bears were 2-for-6 on the power play and the Pioneers were 1-for-5.
The teams go at it again at Maxcy Ice Arena tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. with fifth place in the ECAC West at stake.
