UTICA, N.Y.--The SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (7-7-3, 4-7-3 ECAC West) jumped out to a 3-0 advantage at Utica (6-8-2, 3-5-2) and held off the Pioneers for a 4-4 tie. Freshman forward Emilee Hazelden scored her first two career goals and senior captain Annmarie Lewis recorded a goal and an assist.

After giving up two quick goals in yesterday’s game with the Pioneers, Potsdam returned the favor today. Freshman forward Alexandra Holowka gave the Bears a 1-0 lead just 3:20 into the contest with an assist from senior forward Caitlin Manahan. Hazelden scored her first goal at the 4:33 mark with helpers from Lewis and freshman forward Izzy Fayerman. Lewis added a power-play marker at 14:50. Sophomore forward Jenn Crawford and senior defenseman Breanna Roy each recorded assists. Utica finally got on the board a minute and 27 seconds later with a goal from Meghan McMahon. At 18:31, Nicole Schwartz got the Pioneers back to within 3-2 on the man-advantage.

The scoring stopped in the second period, despite five combined power plays. The Bears killed three penalties and Utica killed another two. Pioneer goalie Jen Hamel and Potsdam sophomore netminder Dawna Salvarinas turned aside all 22 shots they faced. Salvarinas stopped two breakaways in the period.

Hazelden gave the Bears a 4-2 lead at 8:27 with her second of the contest on an assist from junior forward Katie Komsa. Utica answered 11 seconds later with a goal from Megan Meyer. The Pioneers finally drew even with 4:02 left on a tally from Vanessa Maines and forced overtime.

In the extra five minutes each team had two shots, but clamped down on scoring chances.

Salvarinas made 29 saves to preserve the tie, while Hamel finished with 25. The Bears were 1-5 on the power play and Utica was 1-6.

“It was unfortunate that we weren’t able to hold on to that 3-0 lead, but I think we were a bit tired after an emotional game yesterday,” said Potsdam Head Coach Jay Green. “We had some breakdowns and unfortunate bounces that cost us and we didn’t execute on some good chances. But Dawna Salvarinas kept us in the game in the second period and we got strong games from Emilee Hazelden and Alexandra Holowka.”

The Bears are off next week before returning to action on Feb. 3, for a 7 p.m. contest at Neumann.