OSWEGO, N.Y.-Oswego State (3-2, 2-1 ECAC West) downed the SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (2-2-1, 2-2-1) 4-0 on Fridayafternoon in the series opener. Brianna Rice recorded a hat trick for the Lakers and Bailee Goodon added a goal and two assists.
Oswego got on the board just 27 seconds into the contest as Rice scored the eventual game-winner. The Lakers outshot the Bears 15-10 in the opening stanza, but junior goalie Alexane Rodrigue(Monkland, Ontario/Bemidji State) kept the score at 1-0 after 20 minutes.
Potsdam evened the play in the second period, creating several strong chances, but couldn’t get on the board. Goodon doubled the Lakers’ lead at the 4:31 mark. Goodon and Victoria Blake then set up Rice’s second tally to make it 3-0 at 13:49. The Bears finished the period with an 11-9 advantage in shots, but trailed by three after 40 minutes.
The final period was tightly played. The Bears rang a couple posts, but it was Rice completing the hat trick at 5:01 to close the scoring.
Rodrigue finished with 30 stops, while Laker goaltender Bridget Smith made 29 saves to earn the shutout. Potsdam was 0-for-2 on the power play and Oswego didn’t have an opportunity.
While disappointed in the outcome, Bears Head Coach Jay Greenwas pleased with the effort.
“The score wasn’t indicative of the game,” said Green. “We made some textbook mistakes, but it was probably best game by the defense all season. (Sophomore) Kaylen Van Wagner (Red Hook, N.Y./Hotchkiss Prep) and (junior) Rachel Grefke (Livonia, Mich./Victory Honda) really played well. We created a lot of pressure offensively, but weren’t rewarded. Forwards (junior assistant captain) Sally Mooney ( New Albany, Ohio/Wyoming Seminary) and (junior) Karley Cree (Hogansburg, N.Y./Salmon River) had strong games as well.
