Box Score PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – At times throughout the 2012 campaign, offensive production was at a premium for the Plattsburgh State women’s soccer team. On the final day of their season, however, the Cardinals located and bottled that elusive offense, unleashing it in a big way with a 5-1 victory over Norwich at the Field House Complex on Wednesday (Oct. 24).
 
Six Cardinals recorded at least one point as Plattsburgh State wrapped up its 2012 campaign with an overall record of 7-10-1 and a SUNYAC mark of 2-6-1. The Cadets, who were also competing in their final contest of the season, fell to 5-9-3. The Cardinals outscored their opponents from the state of Vermont 10-1 throughout the season.
 
Receiving just her second start of the year, freshman striker Melissa Rodriguez required a little less than seven minutes to give the Cardinals a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The Somers, N.Y., product corralled a loose ball just inside the box, and fired a hard shot past Allison Hull for the first goal of her collegiate career.
 
Plattsburgh State had little trouble controlling the pace of the game, limiting the Cadets to just two shots in the first 45 minutes of play, and although she didn’t start, Kristie Pageau made her presence known in a big way throughout the course of the contest.
 
The Dannemora, N.Y., native took a pass from fellow senior Ashley McKenelley and sent a rocket past Hull to extend the Plattsburgh State lead to 2-0 at the 37:55 mark. Pageau’s shot was just one of 14 taken in the first half by the Cardinals. In four of their last five games, the Cardinals were unable to get off more than 14 shots in an entire contest.
 
Norwich cut the Plattsburgh State lead in half midway through the 76^th minute when Brittany Casey emerged alone and unguarded after winning a battle for a ball with Plattsburgh State keeper Danielle Schmitt out near the box. Casey pumped in her 12^th goal of the season, and the 60^th of her career which was good to take a seat atop the Norwich record book in terms of career goals.
 
That was one of the only highlights produced by the Cadets though, as a little over one minute later Madeleine Rattray gave the Cardinals a two-goal advantage once again. The freshman was fed a pinpoint pass from Ashley Pagano and tallied the first goal of her collegiate career, sending a low ball past Hull. 
 
Pageau put an exclamation point on her Plattsburgh State career just over five minutes later as she sped by an entire contingent of Norwich defenders to net her sixth goal of the season, and the 14^th of her career, thanks to a pass from Rodriguez.
 
The senior picked up her only assist of the evening when she found Devin McMahon in front of the Norwich net and sent a perfect pass to the freshman who put it home for the first goal of her college days.
 
The Cardinals held a 9-0 advantage in corner kicks and outshot the Cadets 33-9 through the 90-minute bout. Schmitt finished with six saves, and saw her record rise to 3-7-1 while Hull turned aside 14 balls and fell to 3-5-3.
 
Renee Egan made life difficult for Hull all day, recording a game-high seven shots that included five on goal. Rodriguez had five shots, and three on goal while Pageau registered four shots. Both of her shots on goal found the back of the net. Lauren Gonyea and Macee Maddock each finished with three shots.
 
Pageau, McKenelley, Egan and Olivia Hopeck all played in their final game for the Cardinals. The foursome helped the Cardinals cobble together a 39-26-8 record over the past four seasons that included a pair of NCAA Division III Tournament appearances and SUNYAC Championship runner-up finish in 2010.