POTSDAM, N.Y. - The Saint Michael's College women's ice hockey team trimmed a three-goal deficit to one early in the third period before falling in its season opener at the State University of New York at Potsdam, 4-3, on Saturday during the first contest at the recently renovated Maxcy Ice Arena. The Bears were also opening their season.

Senior Macey Thomas (Amherst, Mass./Northfield Mount Hermon) tied her career high with two goals while notching a career-best three points for the Purple Knights, and first-year defenseman Lauren Cuculino (Glen Mills, Pa./Quakers) turned in a goal and an assist in her college debut. Three goalies appeared for Saint Michael's, with senior Meaghan Leong (Cohasset, Mass./Notre Dame Academy) making four saves in 13:17, first-year Tina Frasca (Norwood, Mass./Massachusetts Spitfires) totaling nine saves during 26:43, and classmate Abby Burke (Bedford, Mass./Assabet Valley Patriots) notching seven stops in the final 19:38. Burke yielded only one goal - the game-winner - and was saddled with the loss. Saint Michael's outshot SUNY Potsdam 39-24.

Sophomore Sally Mooney (New Albany, Ohio/Wyoming Seminary) and first-year Jordan Ott (Hilton, N.Y./Rochester Edge) both posted a goal and an assist for the Bears, while senior Amanda Lucky (Kanata, Ontario/Clarkson) and junior Izzy Fayerman (Calgary, Alberta/The Edge) also scored. Senior Brittany Lucky (Kanata, Ontario/Ottawa Senators) notched three assists, and sophomore Alexane Rodrigue (Monkland, Ontario/Bemidji State) had 16 saves in the final 28:45 for the win. Classmate Abby Tardelli (Potsdam, N.Y./North Country Ice Storm) posted 20 stops during the opening 31:15.

Ott and Fayerman scored 56 seconds apart to give the hosts a 2-0 lead by 13:17 of the opening period, and Amanda Lucky extended the lead to three goals 11:15 into the second. Thomas converted power-play passes from Cuculino and senior defender Olivia Collins (South Boston, Mass./Boston Latin School) at 16:53, and Cuculino took Thomas' pass and made it 3-2 just 1:33 into the final period. Mooney responded 38 seconds later, but Thomas again produced a one-goal margin at 4:18. Sophomore Caitie Shea (Smithfield, R.I./Mount Saint Charles Academy) and first-year Erin Dwyer (Weymouth, Mass./Charles River) assisted. However, Rodrigue stopped each of the final seven shots by the Purple Knights, who were unable to release any shots during a power play that began with 12:39 remaining.

The Purple Knights meet No. 5 Norwich University for a two-game home-and-home set next weekend, heading to Northfield for the first contest on Friday at 7 p.m. The Cadets' ranking is according to both D3hockey.com and U.S. College Hockey Online's (USCHO) Division III national poll.