OSWEGO, N.Y. - No. 15 Oswego State (9-5, 6-2 NEWHL) rallied for a 6-4 victory over the SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (7-7, 2-5) on Friday night. Senior captain Kaylee Merrill (Wasilla, Alaska/Anchorage North Stars) scored her 44th and 45th career goals for the Bears. Junior defenseman Rebecca Holmes (Lawtons, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) and senior forward Megan Teachout (Auburn, Fla./Oswego State) also scored.
Potsdam opened the scoring at 8:58. Merrill netted her first to make it 1-0 with assists from senior forward Emily DellaNeve (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) junior defenseman Alana Palameta (Windsor, Ontario/Morrisville State). The momentum shifted two minutes later as the Bears were whistled for a hooking penalty. At 11:44, Kensie Malone tied the game with a power-play marker. The Lakers then took the lead with two goals in 13 seconds. Ashlyn McGrath made it 2-1 at 15:49 and Tessa Mucha struck at 16:02 for a two-goal advantage. Oswego led 3-1 after 20 minutes.
Merrill buried her second goal of the contest just eight seconds into the second period to make it a one-goal game. Junior goalie Ellie Zurfluh (Arvada, Colo./Team Colorado) stopped all 14 shots she faced in the period and Potsdam killed its one penalty. The Bears were down just 3-2 at the second intermission.
The third period saw the teams combine for another five goals. It started with penalty trouble for the Lakers. Holmes scored a power-play goal to tie the game at 5:57. Freshman defenseman Rachelle Cain (Skaneateles, N.Y./Syracuse Valley Eagles) assisted on the goal. 53 seconds later, Oswego picked up a high-sticking penalty. Teachout made them pay at 7:13, giving the Bears a 4-3 lead with an assist from sophomore forward Lyvia Chambers (Buffalo, N.Y./Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles). The lead lasted just over two minutes. At 9:47, Mack Hull netted a power-play marker for Oswego to make it 4-4. She added an even-strength goal at 14:23 to give the Lakers the lead for good. With 59 seconds remaining, Hull completed her hat trick and Oswego closed out the 6-4 win.
Zurfluh finished with 38 saves and Lexi Levy made 29 saves to earn the win for Oswego. The Bears were a perfect 2-for-2 on the power play and the Lakers went 2-for-3.
Merrill now ranks second on the program's NCAA-era goals list, passing Annmarie Lewis '12.
Potsdam looks to bounce back tomorrow afternoon when the Bears travel to Buffalo State for a 3 p.m. NEWHL contest.