SUNY Potdam

HEADLINES

Roy's Two Goals Leads Bears Over Pioneers

11.14.09

POTSDAM, NY- Breanna Roy (Orleans, ONT/Nepean Wildcats) had two goals as the women's hockey team scored three times in the third period en route to a 6-3 victory over visiting Sacred Heart on Saturday afternoon at Maxcy Hall Arena.  With the win, the Bears improve their record to 3-2 on the season.

The Bears got out to the early lead when Amanda King (Akwesasne/Cornwall Typhoons) scored in traffic in front of the goal for the score.  A few minutes later, Stephanie Malcolm's (Hamilton, ONT/Hamilton Hawks) shot was tipped into the goal by Stephanie Simons (Stratford, ONT/Bluewater Hawks) to give the Bears a 2-0 lead.  Sacred Heart would score their first of the game to make 2-1 Potsdam after the first period.

Roy's unassisted goal two minutes into the second period gave back the Bears their two goal lead.  The Pioneers would respond with back-to-back goals to even the game at 3-3 going into the final period.

Early in the third period, Roy knocked out a Pioneer shot to prevent a score. She nearly scored her second of the game seconds later but hit the post instead.  Sacred Heart later was issued a bench penalty and the Bears immediately took advantage as Roy scored three seconds into the power play off the face-off to put Potsdam ahead for good.  Under a minute after her goal, Nicky Bougie (Ingelside, ONT/Cornwall Typhoons) went top shelf to make it 5-3 Potsdam.  Annmarie Lewis (Newmarket, ONT/Aurora Panthers) would add an empty net goal with 1:06 to play as the Bears clinched the victory.

Jen Conophy (Glenmont/Albany Ice Cats) started in goal and had 19 saves for the Bears.  Hilary Hitchman (Potsdam/Oswego State) came in the third period and shut out the Pioneers with 17 saves.  Raelene Sydor had 19 saves for Sacred Heart.

Sacred Heart led in shots 39-25.  The Bears were effective on the power play as they went 3-for7.  The six goals scored by Potsdam were the most in a game since returning to varsity play last season.

The Bears head on the road to take on RIT next Friday at 3 pm.

Bears Defeat Lakers

11.8.09

POTSDAM, NY- The women's hockey team fell behind in the second period but came back to defeat visiting Oswego 3-1 on Sunday afternoon at Maxcy Hall Arena.

The game was scoreless after the first period.  The Lakers scored just 1:40 into the second period to take the lead. Later in the period, Stephanie Malcolm (Hamilton, ONT/Hamilton Hawks) took a shot that bounced off the pipe.  Breanna Roy (Orleans, ONT/Nepean Wildcats) would tie the game on an assist from Stephanie Simons (Stratford, ONT/Bluewater Hawks).  The Bears would then go ahead when Kelli McBurnie's (Parishville/Potsdam Ice Storm) shot slid past Oswego goaltender Emi Williams for the goal.

Malcolm got the third goal of the game in the third period when her shot deflected off an Oswego defender for the score.  The Lakers had a power play with just over 22 seconds left to play, but Emily Grippin's shot hit the post as the Bears held on for the victory.

Hilary Hitchman (Potsdam/Oswego State) was stellar in goal as she stopped 27 shots.  Williams had 25 saves for the Lakers.

The teams were even in shots with 28.

The Bears (2-1) host Sacred Heart next weekend for two games. Friday's game is at 7 pm while Saturday's game is at 2 pm.

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.