Rutland, Vt.—The SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (5-7) defeated Buffalo State (7-7) 3-1 to capture it’s second consecutive Rutland Herald Invitational title. The win was the fourth in a row for the Bears, the longest streak in program history.

Sophomore forward Katie Komsa (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario/Sault Ste. Marie AA Midget) scored a short-handed goal that proved to be the game winner and freshman goaltender Dawna Salvarinas (Mississauga, Ontario/Brampton Thunder) made 21 saves. Potsdam jumped on Buffalo State early as junior forward Annmarie Lewis (Newmarket, Ontario/Aurora Panthers) gave the Bears a 1-0 lead just 3:21 into the contest. Junior forwards Stephanie Simons (Stratford, Ontario/Bluewater Hawks) and Caitlin Manahan (St. Albans, Vt./Elmira College) each assisted on the goal.

The Bengals tied the score 31 seconds later on a marker from Marissa McMullan. Potsdam dominated the rest of the period, outshooting Buffalo State 13-4, but weren’t able to get another before the intermission. The Bears continued to hold the edge in play in the second, but was put on the defensive after being whistled for two penalties early. Nearly halfway through the period Komsa struck for an unassisted goal while on the penalty kill. The goal at 9:49 gave Potsdam the lead for good.

The Bengals came out fired up in the third period, putting 12 shots on goal, but couldn’t solve Salvarinas. With 24 seconds left freshman forward Emma Smetaniuk (Frankford, Ontario/Whitby Wolves) cemented the win with an empty net goal. Freshman forward Jenn Crawford (Burlington, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres) and junior defenseman Breanna Roy (Orleans, Ontario/Nepean Wildcats) recorded an assist.

Buffalo State’s Alyssa Koniar finished with 25 saves. Freshman forward Jessica Silveira (Brampton, Ontario/Brampton Thunder), Smetaniuk, and Roy were named to the All Tournament Team.

Bears Head Coach Jay Green was happy with his team’s performance. “We played extremely well for the first two periods and really carried the play,” said Green. “Buffalo State had quite a third period, but Dawna Savarinas made some great game-changing saves. It was a strong team effort and we’re really pleased as a coaching staff.”

Potsdam returns to Maxcy Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 11, for a 3:30 p.m. face off with the Castleton State Spartans.