OSWEGO, N.Y. - Senior forward Stephanie Dunlap (Bath, Mich./Meijer U19 AAA) scored twice and the SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (1-2-1, 0-1-1 NEWHL) never trailed in a 4-4 tie at Oswego State (3-0-1, 1-0-1) on Sunday afternoon. Sophomore forward Kaylee Merrill (Wasilla, Alaska/Anchorage North Stars) and junior forward Emily DellaNeve (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Bison) also scored. Sophomore goalie Ellie Zurfluh (Arvada, Colo./Team Colorado) made a career-high 52 saves.
The Lakers pressured Potsdam from the outset thanks to back-to-back power plays, but it was the Bears jumping out in front first. DellaNeve set up Merrill for the contest's first goal at 11:14. Three minutes later Dunlap doubled the lead with her first of the afternoon. The tallies came on Potsdam's second and third shots of the game. Oswego answered immediately. Amanda Zenstein got the Lakers on the board 17 seconds after Potsdam's goal at 14:23. Chyne Kennedy tied the game at 16:13. Zurfluh finished the first period with 12 saves.
Oswego continued to press in the second period, but again it was the Bears who executed their chances first. Dunlap scored another unassisted maker at 12:07 for a 3-2 advantage. At 16:54, Kyleigh Grugin tied the game again. With 1:28 left in the middle stanza, DellaNeve scored her own goal at 18:32 with a helper from Merrill. Potsdam took the 4-3 lead into the second intermission.
At 4:35 of the third, the Bears were called for interference and the Lakers took advantage. Zenstein scored a power-play goal at 4:53 to get Oswego even for the third time in the game. The Lakers didn't let up after the goal, but couldn't solve Zurfluh again. The Bears goaltender made 17 more saves in the third period to send the game to overtime.
Both teams had opportunities around the net in the three-on-three extra session, but couldn't find the game-winner. Zurfluh stopped another six shots in overtime.
Lakers goalie Joanna Hiebert had a rough day with just six saves and four goals allowed. Oswego was 1-for-6 on the man advantage and the Bears were 0-for-2.
Potsdam is back in action next Saturday at three when the Bears host an exhibition game with Paul Smith's College at 3 p.m. On Friday, November 19, Potsdam heads to SUNY Cortland for an NEWHL showdown at 7 p.m.