PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (12-12-2) fell 6-1 at No. 1/2 Plattsburgh State (22-2-2) in the inaugural Northeast Women's Hockey League Semifinals on Saturday afternoon. Senior captain Anna-Rose Bertin (Marathon, Ontario/Canadian International Hockey Academy) scored for the Bears.

The four-time defending national champion Cardinals controlled the play in the first period, outshooting Potsdam 18-4. However, Bears sophomore goalie Alexa Pfeiffer (Sylvania, Ohio/Little Caesar's) kept her team in the game with 17 saves. Plattsburgh got on the board at the 9:30 mark with a goal from Abby Brush and took the 1-0 lead into the intermission.

The second period was much more evenly played, but the Cardinals were able to extend their advantage. Kayla Meneghin scored a power-play goal at 6:35 and Courtney Moriarty made it 3-0 with an even-strength tally 1:16 later. About nine minutes into the period, the Cardinals turned over the puck in their own zone and Bertin appeared to knock it past Plattsburgh goalie Kassi Abbott. The red light came on and the Bears stopped playing and started to celebrate. However, the officials did not stop the play and the Cardinals went the length of the ice. Meghan Kraus made it 4-0 at 9:43 after an odd-man rush created by the confusion. Potsdam contested the play and the officials checked with the goal judge. The four-person officiating crew then huddled, seemly uncertain of the correct call, in front of the scorer's box and finally determined not to allow the Bears' goal and to let the Cardinals' goal stand. The officials then politely allowed Potsdam Head Coach Jay Green to make his argument with no intention of overturning their call. After a lengthy delay, play resumed with the Bears trailing 4-0 instead of 3-1. Bertin finally scored with 1:21 left in the period and Potsdam was down three after 40 minutes. Sophomore forward Lucy Condon (Kitchener, Ontario/Waterloo Ravens) assisted on Bertin's goal.

The Bears and Bertin created a few good scoring opportunities early in the third period, but couldn't beat Abbott. Then Plattsburgh's Melissa Sheeran scored a fifth goal at 4:04 and Mackenzie Millen tacked on a sixth at 8:28.

Pfeiffer finished with 29 saves in the first 48:28. Freshman Samantha White (Oceanside, Calif./Anaheim Lady Ducks) stopped seven shots in the last 11:32. Abbott made 17 saves to earn the win.

The contest marked the final game for seniors Bertin, captain Brenna Wilson (Kanata, Ontario/Ottawa Senators), Taylor Marcellus (Waddington, N.Y./Ontario Hockey Academy) and Jaci Morr (Monroe, Mich./Team Detroit). Bertin closes her career ranked ninth on the program's all-time scoring list (31-18-49) and tied four fourth in goals. Wilson finishes with 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points. She is 13th points, goals and assists.