Bobcats Split League Weekend at Home

Saranac Lake, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College women's hockey team dropped their AAU College Hockey Women's Division game against Norwich on Friday before coming back to defeat Binghamton in overtime on Saturday to salvage two points on the weekend.

Friday's game saw multiple lead changes as the Bobcats and the Cadets battled back and forth until Norwich finally pulled away in the third period.  The Bobcats got on the board first after Leah Coulombe (Jay, NY) connected on a beautiful setup from Samantha Friend (Reston, VA).  The Cadets would get one back before Coulombe buried her second of the game just under two minutes remaining in the first period to put the hosts up 2-1.

The second period was even in shots but it was the Cadets who capitalized on their chances, winning the period 3-1 to make it 4-3 going into the third.  Samantha Barrett (Oak Park, IL) scored an unassisted goal after the Cadets tied it at 2-2 early in the second before the visitors would tie it back up at 3-3 and then take the lead on a shorthanded goal at 2:35.

A push from the Bobcats in the third period was stymied by the Cadets as both teams got into penalty trouble in a traditionally tense matchup.  Norwich went up 5-3 with 6:37 left and the Bobcats were unable to get anything past the Cadet goalie.  Aubrey Brown (Campbell River, BC, Canada) picked up an assist while Riley Newcomb (Cazenovia, NY) added two helpers.  Eastynn Savage (Tupper Lake, NY) made 33 saves in net.

Paul Smith's College sophomore Lindsay Palmer (Clifton Park, NY) transitioned to defense on the weekend and spoke about moving from forward.

"I'm enjoying the position and I think it's a great opportunity for some massive production on our forward lines," said Palmer.

That tactic seemed to work well as the Bobcats came back on Saturday and defeated the Binghamton Bearcats 3-2 in overtime to the delight of the Bobcat faithful who were in attendance at the Saranac Lake Civic Center.

Three players contributed goals as Coulombe, Barrett, and Newcomb found their way onto the score sheet.  Barrett, who made the opposite transition from defense to forward, buried the game winner just seven seconds into the extra period.

"In OT, as soon as the other team lined up, Lily and I noticed that if she pushed it forward on the faceoff it could result in a breakaway, so we went for it.  She placed it perfectly for me and that was that!" exclaimed Barrett.

Head coach Rob Burke made sure he would have fresh legs out for overtime, saving Barrett at the end of the third to hopefully win the game early in the extra frame.  That strategy proved successful as Lillian Gogan (Cornish, NH) pushed the puck through to Barrett who drove down the left side and buried the puck through the Bearcat goalie's legs on the ice.  Gogan picked up two assists, including on the game winner, and Barrett added a helper of her own on Coulombe's goal.

First year goaltender Maddi Summa (Pekin, IL) earned her first collegiate win in her first collegiate start, stopping 25 of 27 shots in net.

"Getting my first win in net was the best and most nerve wrecking thing I have experienced, one I'll always remember," recalled Summa.

"I'm loving my first semester at PSC, the team especially makes it such a fun school to be a part of," she added.

The Bobcats move to 6-3 on the season and will travel to Springfield, MA November 23rd and 24th to take on the Springfield Pride.

You can follow the women's hockey team on Instagram at @pscwhockey or follow the general athletics account at @smitty_nation for scores, highlights, pictures, and much more!

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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.