IRVING, Tex. – The Potsdam Ice Storm 16 and Under girls’ team jumped out ahead early and finished strong in a 5-2 win over the Mountain State RockStars from Colorado last night in the Tier II National Championship Tournament.

That clinches a place in Saturday morning’s quarterfinals. This afternoon, the girls are playing the Connecticut Polar Bears for seeding position in the Saturday single-elimination contest.

If they win the quarterfinal match Saturday morning, they continue into the semis in the evening. The championship final is on Sunday.

The Ice Storm girls lifted themselves to a 3-0 lead before heading to the locker room for the first intermission. Jordyn Clothier of Parishville scored first, assisted by Sierra Gagnon of Potsdam; the second and third goals were unassisted, by Jenny Tardelli of Potsdam and Megan Plumb of Norwood.

The Ice Storm’s fourth goal came in the second period, by Bailey Dillabough of Massena from Margaret Troiano of Morristown; the third period score came from Kady Hart of Potsdam on passes from Clothier and Ally Miller of Potsdam.

In net, Maddy Dillabough made 16 saves; the Storm had 31 shots on goal..

The girls advanced on a win Wednesday over the San Jose Jr. Sharks with a 3-2 overtime shootout win in the opening round of the 16U national tournament.

The Ice Storm 16U coaches are Head Coach Christin Powers and Assistant Coaches Rick Miller and John Hart.