Oswego, N.Y.—Oswego jumped out to a 4-0 lead and held on to defeat the SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team 5-2. Kelly Collins scored two goals and recorded an assist to lead the Lakers. Junior forward Stephanie Simons (Stratford, Ontario/Bluewater Hawks) and freshman forward Emma Smetaniuk (Frankford, Ontario/Whitby Wolves) each scored for the Bears and sophomore goaltender Jen Conophy (Glenmont, N.Y./Albany Ice Cats) made 45 saves.

Just 17 seconds into the contest Collins gave Oswego the lead for good. Potsdam evened out the play after the goal, but the Lakers capitalized on their first power play opportunity of the game. Collins got her second on the man advantage at the 16:33 mark and Oswego took the 2-0 lead into the locker room.

Less than three minutes into the second period, Megan Howe scored the eventual game winner on the power play to give the Lakers a 3-0 lead. Six minutes later Emily Grippin struck for Oswego’s fourth marker. The Bears finally got on the board with 12 seconds remaining as junior forwards Caitlin Manahan (St. Albans, Vt./Elmira College) and Annmarie Lewis (Newmarket, Ontario/Aurora Panthers) set up Simons on the power play.

At 6:04 of the third period, Jillian Bergeron gave the Lakers their four-goal advantage back with Oswego’s fifth and final goal. Potsdam responded 28 seconds later as Smetaniuk buried her first collegiate goal. Freshmen Jessica Silveira (Brampton, Ontario/Brampton Thunder) and Brittany Lucky (Kanata, Ontario/Ottawa Senators) each recorded assists on the play. The Bears would get no closer as the Lakers completed the 5-2 win.

Oswego was 2-4 on the power play and Potsdam finished 1-7. Emi Williams finished with 39 saves for the Lakers.

Bears Head Coach Jay Green continued to see improvement in his team’s play despite the frustrating weekend.

“I was happy with the effort, but unfortunately small details cost us,” said Green. “I did see improvement in many areas we’ve worked on. My main concern is consistency in areas like coverage in our defensive zone. “

Potsdam (1-6, 1-5) returns home to take on second-ranked Plattsburgh on Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.