POTSDAM, N.Y. - Helen Giroux scored the first of her two goals on Tuesday just 56 seconds after the opening faceoff as the Plattsburgh State women's hockey team pounded host Potsdam State, 9-3, in an Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division game at Maxcy Hall Ice Arena. The Cardinals, who were voted the second-ranked NCAA Division III program in this week's poll, improve to 5-0 overall--all ECAC West games. The Bears drop to 3-5 overall, including 1-4 in the conference. BOXSCORE

Plattsburgh exhibited a balanced offense as seven other players found the back of the net: Kristen Bond, Michelle Gatien, Kayla McDougall, Shannon Flattery, Teal Gove, Megan DiJulio and Stephanie Moberg. The freshmen trio of Gatien, Flattery and Gove scored their first collegiate goals. McDougall added two assists for a three-point night and Natalie Aldridge chipped in two assists.

The Cardinals built a 5-0 lead and were never seriously threatened.

Monique Gagner, Amanda King and Nicky Bougie scored for the Bears, who were outshot 45 to 8.