POTSDAM, N.Y.—The second-seeded SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (9-13-3, 6-8-2 NEWHL) will host three seed SUNY Cortland (14-8-3, 5-8-3) in the Northeast Women's Hockey League Semifinals this Saturday, Feb. 23, at 5 p.m. The Bears have qualified for the postseason in six of the last eight years.

Junior forward Miranda Kolb (Watertown, N.Y./SUNY Cortland) has been the Bears top scorer this season, after leading Cortland in points over the first two years of her career before transferring. She's scored seven goals, including two at Buffalo State last Sunday, and assisted on five this season for 12 points. Kolb has three game-winners and four power-play markers. Sophomore forward Natalie Wasielewski (Carnegie, Pa./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite) reached double-digits again with six goals and five assists for 11 points. Two-time all-conference defenseman Delphine Léonard (Anjou, Quebec) has been a critical two-way player for the Bears, providing strong defense and 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists). She scored the game-winning goal in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Oswego State that locked up the program's first ever home playoff game. Senior captain Rylie Murray (Berkley, Mich./Honeybaked) is right there with Léonard as a top defender along with contributing 10 points on two goals and eight assists. Junior forward Lucy Condon (Waterloo, Ontario/Waterloo Ravens), junior captain Shelbi Thacker (Chesterfield, Mich./Honeybaked) and sophomore forward Alexis Clark (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Buffalo Bisons) have contributed eight points apiece as part of a balanced offense.

Léonard, Murray and Thacker have led a defense that has shutdown opponents again this season. The Bears have allowed 2.48 goals-per-game, the second best rate in program history.

Potsdam is as solid as ever in goal. This week's NEWHL Goalie of the Week, junior assistant captain Alexa Pfeiffer (Sylvania, Ohio/Little Caesar's) is in the midst of her finest season. Pfeiffer has a 7-4-1 record with career-highs in goals-against-average (2.06) and save percentage (.934). Her 34-save shutout of the Lakers on Saturday gave her 20 career victories and tied her for the program wins record. Pfeiffer, who was a member of the ECAC West All-Rookie Team as a freshman, ranks second in Bears history in save percentage (.919) and G.A.A. (2.49) and fourth in saves (1,163). Last season's NEWHL Rookie of the Year, sophomore Samantha White (Oceanside, Calif./Anaheim Lady Ducks), has put up a 2.64 G.A.A. and a .917 save percentage in 12 starts. She is the Bears all-time leader in the two categories with a 2.13 G.A.A. and a .929 save percentage.

On special teams, Potsdam has killed 93 of 103 penalties for a 90.3 percent pace, which is 10th best in the nation.

For Cortland, Grace Schnorr leads a group of seven Red Dragons that have reached double-digits this season. Schnorr just set Cortland's single-season record for goals with 15 and has added nine assists for 24 points. Forwards Amanda Gaffney and Katie Devoe have contributed 16 (6g, 10a) and 14 (8g, 6a) points, respectively. Defenseman Emily Rose has picked up 12 (3g, 9a) points from the blue line, while forward Emily King (5g, 6a) and defenseman Samantha Pippin (3g, 8a) have 11 points each. Forward Quinn Metcalf rounds out Cortland's offensive leaders with 10 points (2g, 8a). The Red Dragons defense, anchored by two talented goaltenders, is allowing just 2.20 goals-per-game. Chelsea Allain has emerged as Cortland's hot hand this season, posting a 9-2-1 record with a 1.42 G.A.A. and a .951 save percentage. Victoria Gibson is a 5-6-2 with a 2.44 G.A.A. and a .909 save percentage.

The teams have met four times this season with Potsdam holding a 2-1-1 edge. The Bears defeated the Red Dragons 2-1 in Cortland on Nov. 9, before tying 1-1 the following afternoon in Maxcy Ice Arena. On Feb. 1, Potsdam handed Cortland a 4-1 defeat at home, but fell 1-0 in Cortland on Feb. 2.

Tickets for the contest are $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 5-12 and free for students attending NEWHL schools with school ID. The Maxcy Hall ticket booth opens one hour prior to game time. Fans that can't attend the game can watch all the action at www.potsdambears.com/whockeyvideo.

If the Bears advance beyond Saturday's semifinal, they would either travel to either top-seeded Plattsburgh State or host four seed Oswego State on Saturday, March 2, for the championship contest.