POTSDAM, N.Y. - No. 4 Plattsburgh State (7-2, 6-0 NEWHL) scored twice in each period to defeat the SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (2-6-1, 0-4-1) 6-1 on Friday evening. Bears junior forward Kaylee Merrill (Wasilla, Alaska, N.Y./Anchorage North Stars) scored her third goal in as many games.

The Cardinals opened the scoring at 5:27 as junior forward Ivy Boric (Newport Beach, Calif./Anaheim Lady Ducks) tipped shot past Potsdam freshman goalie Hannah Barrett (Tonawanda, N.Y./Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles). At 11:09, senior forward Nicole Unsworth (Milwaukee, Wis./East Coast Wizards) scored on a wrap-around to make it 2-0. Barrett made 14 saves in the first period.

Plattsburgh extended its lead to three at 10:12 of the second period on a goal from sophomore forward Mae Olshansky (Willamette, Ill./North American Hockey Academy). The Cardinals then took body-checking and cross-checking penalties 40 seconds apart, giving Potsdam a 5-on-3 power play and the Bears took advantage 13 seconds later. Merrill tipped a shot from senior assistant captain Ellie Cleary (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) past Plattsburgh junior goalie Lissa Nease (Lake Forest, Calif./Anaheim Lady Ducks) at 12:59. Freshman forward Lyvia Chambers (Buffalo, N.Y./Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) picked up the second assist. Nearly four minutes later, senior forward Taylor Whitney (Livonia, Mich./Little Caesars) went in all alone an snuck the puck past Barrett. Plattsburgh led 4-1 after 20 minutes.

The Cardinals took advantage of Bears penalties in the third period, scoring twice on the power play. Unsworth netted her second just 2:13 into the period. At 11:58, graduate student forward Kaitlin Drew-Mead (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) closed the scoring at 6-1.

Barrett finished with a career-high 43 saves. Nease made 16 stops for the win. The Bears were 1-for-3 on the power play and Plattsburgh was 2-for-5.

Potsdam is back in action tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m., when the Bears host Buffalo State.