UTICA, N.Y.—Utica College (10-6-0,) took the lead in a high scoring first period and held off the SUNY Potsdam women’s hockey team (7-11-1,) for a 4-2 victory in an ECAC West showdown this afternoon. Megan Myers had a hat trick to lead the Pioneers, while junior defenseman Breanna Roy (Orleans, Ontario/Nepean Wildcats) paced the Bears with a goal and an assist. Freshman forward Jen Crawford (Burlington, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres) also scored for Potsdam and freshman defenseman Brittany Lucky (Kanata, Ontario/Ottawa Senators) contributed two assists.

Myers got her first marker early with a power-play goal 2:42 into the game. Four minutes later Roy responded with a power-play goal of her own to tie the game on assists from Lucky and junior forward Annmarie Lewis (Newmarket, Ontario/Aurora Panthers). At the 8:20 mark Myers got her second to give the Pioneers the lead for good. Two minutes later Myers completed the hat trick with the eventual game-winner that extended the Utica lead to 3-1. At 13:18 Crawford closed the gap to 3-2 with another Bear power-play score with Roy and Lucky assisting on the goal.

Potsdam controlled the second period, outshooting the Utica 16-5, but was unable to find the equalizer. The momentum shifted completely in the opposite direction in the third period as the Pioneers held a 17-3 advantage in shots. At the 5:03 mark of the final 20 minutes Meghan Willet gave the Pioneers some insurance and closed the scoring at 4-2.

Bears sophomore goaltender Jen Conophy (Glenmont, N.Y./Albany Ice Cats) finished with 30 saves, while Utica’s Marissa Hotaling stopped 26 shots. Potsdam was 2-6 on the man advantage and the Pioneers were 1-5.

The Bears get another shot at Utica tomorrow when they host the Pioneers at 4 p.m.