Box Score
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – A quick goal gave the top-ranked Plattsburgh State women’s hockey team some early momentum to build on as the Cardinals defeated nationally-ranked No. 3 Elmira College, 4-1, in an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) West contest at the Stafford Ice Arena Saturday night.
The win improves Plattsburgh to 15-0-1 overall and 8-0-0 in conference play. Saturday’s loss marked the first league loss for the Soaring Eagles, who drop to 15-2-1 overall and 10-1-0 in the ECAC West.
With just 1:06 off the clock, Allison Era fired a shot from the slot over the shoulder of Elmira goaltender Lauren Sullivan to give the Cardinals the early 1-0 lead.
Plattsburgh carried much of the play in the early going, outshooting the Soaring Eagles 16-6 in the first period. The Cardinals took a two-goal lead at the 10:12 mark on a power-play tally from Andrea Ziesmann. Emma Rutherford and Alyssa Parke picked up assists on Ziesmann’s second of the season.
As the first period was winding down, Elmira’s Ashton Hogan’s shot was turned away by Sydney Aveson before Samantha Curk buried the rebound to bring the Soaring Eagles within one with 1:29 left in the first period.
Elmira came out of the locker room flying in the second period, but the Cardinals were able to weather the storm and keep the visitors off the board. Plattsburgh extended the lead to 3-1 at 11:15 when Alyssa Parke’s shot from the point drilled the far post and landed in the back of the net for her fourth of the season from Caitlin Gilligan and Giovanna Senese.
Shannon Stewart added some insurance at 16:50 of the third to make it 4-1. Morgan MacInnis assisted on Stewart’s 11
th point in the last five games.
The Cardinals finished the night with a 31-23 advantage in shots on goal. Plattsburgh went 1-for-2 on the power play while Elmira’s unit continued to struggle, going 0-for-4.
Aveson recorded 22 saves in the win for Plattsburgh. Sullivan turned away 27 shots for Elmira.
The battle for ECAC West supremacy continues tomorrow as the same two teams return to the ice for the final game of the weekend set. Game time is set for 3 p.m. at the Stafford Ice Arena.
