POTSDAM, N.Y. - The SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (10-10, 5-8 NEWHL) trailed 3-1 in the third period, but rallied for a 4-3 win over Morrisville State (7-14-1, 3-11) in overtime. Senior defenseman Alex Quinn (Potsdam, N.Y./St. Lawrence Steel) had the decisive tally and senior captain Kaylee Merrill (Wasilla, Alaska/Anchorage North Stars) scored twice and had an assist. Junior defenseman Rebecca Holmes (Lawtons, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) scored the other goal and sophomore goalie Hannah Barrett (Tonawanda, N.Y./Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) made 38 saves.
The Mustangs created good pressure early, but Barrett and her defense kept them off the board. Holmes scored for Potsdam at 14:09. After Morrisville misplayed a clearing attempt, Holmes charged in and ripped a wrister from the left faceoff circle over the shoulder of Mustangs freshman goalie Maggie Jones (Marystown, Newfoundland/Mount Academy). Each team had an unsuccessful power play. Morrisville outshot the Bears 13-7 in the first, but trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes.
The second period started just like the first, with more Mustang pressure. Just 1:10 into the period, Potsdam native and Morrisville junior forward Alana McDonald (Potsdam, N.Y./Vermont Stars) picked up a long pass in the neutral zone. She went the rest of the way and tucked the puck in the net to tie the score. The Bears were called for body checking at 7:19 and the Mustangs took the lead 18 seconds later. Sophomore forward Hailee Easson (Okotoks, Alberta/Rocky Mountain Raiders) picked up a wide shot and tucked it behind Barrett at the left post. Potsdam killed a 5-on-3 power play late in the period, but trailed by one after two. Morrisville outshot the Bears 18-7 in the period.
Morrisville added another goal early in the third. Junior forward Rhys Brown (Kemptville, Ontario/Nepean Wildcats) picked up a loose puck at the Bears blue line, skated in on the left side and made it 3-1 at 5:30. Potsdam countered at 10:11. Senior forward Megan Teachout (Auburn, N.Y./Oswego State) fed Merrill on the breakout. Merrill went the length of the ice and beat Jones to make it 3-2. At 15:01, the Mustangs were called for a high stick. At 16:31, Merrill notched her second with assists from sophomore defenseman Lyvia Chambers (Buffalo, N.Y./Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) and Barrett. With about 40 seconds left, Barrett was pulled for an extra attacker, but regulation ended in a tie.
The Bears outshot the Mustangs 4-0 in overtime. With 2:38 left, Morrisville was called for too many players on the ice. Just 13 seconds later, Quinn fired from the right point and the puck fluttered past Jones and into the net for the game-winner. Teachout and Merrill assisted on the goal.
Jones finished with 32 saves. The Bears were 2-for-6 on the power play and the Mustangs were 1-for-6.
Merrill now has 68 career points on 52 goals and 16 assists. She is nine goals behind Jordan Ott '17 for the program's NCAA-Era record.
Potsdam hosts Oswego State tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m.