POTSDAM, N.Y. - The SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (5-8) finished up their non-conference weekend Saturday afternoon, falling to Franklin Pierce University (14-6) by a final score of 7-1. Freshman forward Emily DellaNeve (Buffalo, N.Y./ Buffalo Bisons) scored the lone goal for the Bears.
The Ravens struck quickly in the first period scoring just 25 seconds in as Delaney Guimont beat Bears senior goalie Alexa Pfeiffer (Sylvania, Ohio/ Little Caesar's) with a slap shot from the top of the right circle. The goal was assisted by Stefanie Caban.
The Ravens would quickly add to their lead at the 13:26 mark as Bridgette Prentiss deflected a pass in the Bears defensive zone, allowing Bridget Fagan to feed Haley Parker in the slot for the goal.
Despite the early deficit, the Bears would battle back. Less than a minute after the second Franklin Pierce goal, the Bears got on the board as junior defenseman Allie Banas (Buffalo, N.Y./ Buffalo Bisons) pinched at the blue line to keep the play alive for DellaNeve who fired a shot over the right shoulder of the Ravens netminder.
Franklin Pierce would close out the scoring in the first period on a goal by Becca Kniss as she picked up the puck at the blue line, beat the Bears defenders wide and slid the puck under Pfeiffer. Reece Diener assisted on the play. Following the goal, senior Kayla McCabe (Watertown, N.Y./Syracuse Nationals) took over in net for the Bears. The score would remain 3-1 at the break.
Franklin Pierce continued the scoring in the opening minutes of the second period. Nicole Amato scored back-to-back goals for the Ravens in the first four minutes of play in the middle stanza to give Franklin Pierce the 5-1 lead. Parker and Fagan assisted on the goals. Following the two Franklin Pierce goals, play evened out for much of the period, until the Ravens struck once more.
With just 42 seconds remaining in the period, Kniss found the back of the net for her second goal of the night, with assists from Cassidy Jones and Diener. The Ravens held a 6-1 advantage at the second intermission.
The third period was a deadlock, with both team generating opportunities, but not being able to break onto the score sheet. The Bears continued to work, hitting posts and creating quality scoring opportunities, but were unable to climb closer. The Ravens would tack on an empty net goal in the final minute of play to cap off their 7-1 victory.
Pfeiffer finished with 8 saves, while McCabe made 24 in relief. Emme Ostrander stopped 35 shots in net for the Ravens.
The Bears head to Cortland next Friday for a NEWHL matchup at 7:00 pm.