POTSDAM, N.Y. - Junior forward Kaylee Merrill (Wasilla, Alaska/Anchorage Alaska) scored both goals as the SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (9-14, 7-10-1 NEWHL) defeated Morrisville State (6-16-1, 4-13-1) 2-1 on Senior Night.
Potsdam had the momentum early. The Bears pressured the Mustangs and had the first seven shots of the contest. Morrisville freshman goalie Emma Plett (Grunthal, Manitoba/Eastman Selects) kept her team in contest and robbed Bears graduate student captain Alexis Clark (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) on a shot from the slot. The Mustangs created some chances late in the period, but sophomore goalie Ellie Zurfluh (Aravada, Colo./Team Colo.) kept them off the board. The Bears outshot the Mustangs 12-3 in the opening 20 minutes.
The second period looked a lot like the first, with Potsdam outshooting Morrisville 16-2. The Bears created several chances on two power-play opportunities, but were unable to score. Potsdam finally broke through at 6:47 as Merrill beat Plett stick side from the slot. Freshman forward Lyvia Chambers (Buffalo, N.Y./Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) and junior forward Emily DellaNeve (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) each assisted on the goal. Despite the large advantage in shots, Potsdam led just 1-0 after 40 minutes.
The third period started more evenly and when the Bears were called for hooking at 3:31, the Mustangs took advantage. Sophomore forward Alana McDonald (Potsdam, N.Y./Vermont Stars) tipped a shot from point past Zurfluh. The score remained tied until 4:03 remaining. With Potsdam on the power play, Merrill picked up a pass from senior assistant captain Ellie Cleary (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons), cut past a Mustangs defender and then roofed the puck over Plett to make it 2-1. With 1:16 left, Morrisville pulled Plett for an extra attacker, but couldn't net the equalizer.
Zurfluh earned the win with 10 saves, while Plett finished with 36. Both teams were 1-for-4 on the power play.
Merrill has heated up down the stretch, recording six goals and five assists for 11 points in her last seven games. Her team-leading 16 goals are the third most in a single season for the program. Merrill's 29 goals rank seventh on Potsdam's list and she's tied for 15th in all-time scoring with 37 points.
Prior to the game, Potsdam honored seniors Emily Burke (San Jose, Calif./San Jose Jr. Sharks), Makenzie Martin (Potsdam, N.Y./Potsdam High School), Clark, assistant captain Allie Banas (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons), Cleary, Stephanie Dunlap (Bath, Mich./Meijer U19 AAA) and Abigail Lyon (Winthrop, N.Y./Lake Placid Rockets).
The Bears now await a NEWHL Semifinal matchup at top-seeded and second nationally ranked Plattsburgh State in one week, March 1, at 7 p.m.