POTSDAM, N.Y.—Third-ranked Plattsburgh State (8-2, 6-0 NEWHL) defeated the SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (5-4-1, 1-4-1) 4-1 on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore defenseman Delphine Léonard(Montreal, Quebec/Dawson College Prep) scored for the Bears and freshman goaltender Samantha White (Oceanside, Calif./Anaheim Lady Ducks) made 32 saves.
The Cardinals jumped in front for good just 3:30 into the contest on a goal from sophomore forward Meghan Kraus (Bellingham, Wash./Northern Cyclones). Potsdam held Plattsburgh scoreless on two power-play opportunities in the period and trailed just 1-0 after 20 minutes.
Cardinals senior forward Kayla Meneghin (Clifton, N.J./The Gunnery) netted the eventual game-winner just 21 seconds into the second period on the power play. Nearly nine minutes later, Léonard made the most of the Bears’ first man advantage. She found the back of the net after assists from sophomore forward Lucy Condon (Kitchener, Ontario/Waterloo Ravens) and freshman forward Natalie Wasielewski (Carnegie, Pa./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite). After trading two unsuccessful power plays apiece, Plattsburgh made it a 3-1 contest at the 18:31 mark on a goal from junior forward Ashley Songin (Springville, N.Y./Nichols School).
Plattsburgh controlled much of the play in the third period, building a 14-5 advantage in shots. After Potsdam killed off a penalty midway through the third, the Bears earned two final power plays of their own and but couldn’t close the gap. Potsdam pulled White after a timeout with 2:34 remaining, but Cardinals senior forward Melissa Sheeran (Shaghticoke, N.Y./Millbrook School) put the game away with an empty-net goal with 50 seconds left.
Senior goalie Brooke Wolejko (South Windsor, Conn./St. Lawrence University) stopped 21 shots for the win. Plattsburgh was 1-for-5 on the power play and the Bears went 1-for-6.
Next, Potsdam heads to Henniker, N.H. to square off with New England College on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m.
