RUTLAND, VT - The Oswego State women's hockey team defeated fellow ECAC West division opponent SUNY Potsdam, 2-1, to win the inaugural Rutland Herald Women's Ice Hockey Tournament hosted by Castleton State College at the Rutland Regional Fieldhouse. It was the first ever tournament triumph for the Lakers in the three-year varsity history of the program, all under current head coach Diane Dillon.

Both teams battled through a scoreless first period before Oswego (2-0-0) was able to break through for a pair of second period goals. Freshman Jillian Bergeron (Brockville, ONT/Nepean Wildcats) broke through for the first Laker goal off a Krista Pattemore (Athens, ONT/St. George's Prep) assist one minute into the second period. Junior forward Tiarra Garrow (Morrisonville, NY/National Sports Academy) scored the game winner 11 minutes later unassisted, corralling a loose puck to the right side of the goal and scored from a seemingly impossible angle nearly behind the net.

Potsdam (1-2-0) cut the lead in half in the third period, and had two very good opportunities to tie the score but Oswego sophomore goalie Emi Williams (Anchorage, AK/Anchorage Northstars) turned both away to preserve the win. Danielle Compagni scored the lone Bears goal from off assists from Courtney Laughlin and Brandi Atwell.

Williams stopped 21 shots in the win, while Potsdam goalie Hilary Hitchman made 25 saves in the loss. Bergeron and junior defense and co-captain Angie Friesen (Chilliwack, BC/Pacific Steelers) were Laker selections to the All-Tournament team.

Oswego and Potsdam will meet at this weekend at the Campus Center Ice Arena for a two-game series in the ECAC West opener for both teams. Both games, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. starts.

BOXSCORE

(Story courtesy of Castleton State College Sports Information)