SUNY Potdam

HEADLINES

Bears Hold on for First Victory of the Season

10.31.09

POTSDAM, NY- Backed by superb goaltending and timely penalty killing, the SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team skated to a 2-1 season opening victory over the visiting Salve Regina Seahawks on Saturday afternoon.

Following a scoreless first period, the Bears scored a short-handed goal on the faceoff by Stephanie Dwyer (Stittsville, ONT/Kanata AA Midget) to go up 1-0.  The Seahawks would answer later in the period to tie the game.

Potsdam would quickly get ahead 21 seconds into the third period when Stephanie Simons (Stratford, ONT/Bluewater Hawks) put the Bears up 2-1. 

The Bears were effective on the penalty kill as Salve Regina went 0-for-13. The Bears were faced with a five on three at one point in the third period but managed to hold off the Seahawk threat.

Jen Conophy (Glenmont/Albany Ice Cats) started in goal and made 11 saves. Hilary Hitchman (Potsdam/Oswego State) came in the second period and had 23 saves.  Rebecca Simmons had 22 saves for the Seahawks.

The Bears host Oswego next Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm.

Bears 2009-10 Season Preview

10.26.09

The women's hockey team begins their second season of varsity play under the guidance of returning coach Jay Green. Last season, the Bears concluded their inaugural season with a record of 4-17-2 (3-13-2 in ECAC West).

16 players return from last year's team. Co-Captains for this year are junior forward Courtney Laughlin and sophomore forward Stephanie Simons.  They are joined by alternate captains sophomores defender Monique Ganger and forward Annmarie Lewis.   Lewis was the Bears second highest scorer last year with 15 points (7G, 8A).

Also looked upon to add some scoring is sophomore defender Breanna Roy. She led the team in points last year with 16 (6G, 10A).

In goal the Bears will be led by senior Hillary Hitchman (733 saves, .899 SV %). She will be backed up by freshman Jen Conophy.   

Key newcomers to the team include forward Katie Komsa and defenseman Brittany Westlake.  "Katie has good size and solid skills and will look to give us some offensive scoring," noted Green.  "Brittany is a solid defenseman and adds skills and depth to the lineup."

Green's goal for the team this season is to compete for a playoff spot.  "What myself and assistant coach Farren Hart stress to each player is that every conference game is important and they realize that. This season we expect everyone on the team to be ready to play for every game," Green said.

The Bears played the Nepean Wildcats in an exhibition last Wednesday and fell 6-1.  They will open their regular season at home against Salve Regina on Saturday at 3 pm.

Laughlin and Hitchman Named ECAC All-Academics

4.12.09

(POTSDAM, NY) Two SUNY Potsdam hockey players were recently recognized by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) for their academic achievements. Honored by ECAC Commissioner Rudy Keeling were Bears Courtney Laughlin (Grambills, MD/Princeton Tiger Lilies) and Hilary Hitchman (Potsdam/ Oswego State).

The Potsdam players were named to the ECAC Women's West All-Academic team for the 2008-09 season. This marks the eighth year that the conference has named an All-Academic team; a total of 57 student-athletes representing nine ECAC Women's West teams earned this honor based on outstanding performance in the classroom.

To be named to the All-Academic team, the student-athlete must have completed at least one academic year, have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, and have competed in at least one-half of her team's contests during the current season.