Bobcats Celebrate Senior Night With Win

Saranac Lake, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College women's hockey team closed out their season with a win against the Clarkson University club team in late February, defeating the Golden Knights 4-2 as they honored their graduating seniors.

Leah Coulombe (Jay, NY) scored her 23rd goal of the season halfway through the first but the Knights would tie it up just three minutes later.  The second period saw Leola Brown (Brooklyn, NY), who was playing in just her second game of the season coming off shoulder surgery, score her first of two goals with 3:00 left in the middle frame.

After Clarkson tied it yet again a minute into the final period, Brown buried a nice power play goal, assisted by Aubrey Brown (Campbell River, BC) and Brooklynn Shumway (Bloomingdale, NY) to put the Bobcats up for good.  Samantha Barrett (Oak Park, IL) would then score her team-and-league-leading 33rd goal of the season at the 16:54 mark to add an insurance marker for the hosts.  Barrett added two assists while Lillian Gogan (Cornish, NH) added a solo helper.  Lola De Toni (Ottawa, ONT, Canada) backstopped the win, saving 16 of 18 shots on net.

The Bobcats honored graduating seniors Amanda LaMonda (Saratoga Springs, NY), Alli Cherry (Grasonville, MD), and team manger Alison Russell (Old Forge, NY) in a ceremony before the game.

LaMonda spoke about her time at PSC and what it's meant to her, stating "Senior night was truly special.  The athletic department and the team all came together to make me feel so loved in this small community."

Amanda LaMonda celebrates with her parents and head coach Rob Burke.

"My time at Paul Smith's has been a ride, as an athlete and as a student, but I wouldn't have changed it for the world.  I have met my mentors here through the athletic department and people that have changed my life for the better and prepared me for the real world," added LaMonda.

Russell echoed the same appreciation for PSC and emphasized her service to the team.  "Going out with a win on senior night was a spectacular way to end the season," she said.

Alison Russell celebrates with her father and head coach Rob Burke.

"I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the PSC women's hockey team.  They are a group of fun, hardworking individuals who have always made me feel welcome.  I've made many memories with this team, including winning a national championship last season, that I will never forget.  I'm so incredibly proud of every single one of these players, new and old, for their efforts," added Russell.

The win moves the team to an 11-5 overall record.  They have had a successful two seasons since joining the AAU, winning the first-ever AAU Women's College Hockey last season and having another winning season this year as they've combined for a 23-9-1 record since 2023-2024.

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!

Alli Cherry celebrates with friends and members of the athletic department.

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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.