PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The top ranked Plattsburgh State women's ice hockey team hosted No. 10 Castleton on Tuesday evening, knocking the Spartans from the ranks of the unbeatens with a 4-0 win.
The first period featured endless offensive pressure by the Cardinals as they outshot Castleton 21-7; goaltender Jess Cameron and the rest of the Spartans defense didn't crack, keeping the game knotted at zeros. It was the first time all season that the Cardinals did not find the back of the net in the opening 20 minutes.
However, Plattsburgh State would break the tie 13:40 into the second period when
Erin Brand converted on a power play goal for her second of the season. Brand took a pass at the top of the slot from senior
Bridget Balisy before sending a slap shot that found its way through traffic beating Cameron blocker high.
The Cardinals would take an early penalty in the third period but freshman
Courtney Moriarty would tally a shorthanded goal on a breakaway to give Plattsburgh State a 2-0 lead.
Megan Delay would net her first intercollegiate goal 13:17 into the third period on a wrist shot that beat Cameron, giving the Cardinals a 3-0 advantage. Balisy would set up the goal carrying the puck behind the net before passing to Delay, who was positioned in the right circle.
Sophomore standout,
Kayla Meneghin would add to her team-high eight goals making it 4-0 with just over a minute left in the game.
Camille Leonard improved her shutout streak to 14 consecutive periods and earned her fourth shutout on the season. Leonard finished the night with 21 saves. Her counterpart Cameron broke her career-high for saves in a game with 60. She previously set her record earlier this season against ECACW foe, Oswego.
With the win Plattsburgh State moves to 7-0-0 and for the third time in program history it has tied its longest consecutive win streak with 18, dating back to last season.
Castleton suffered its first loss of the season and falls to 7-1-1.
The Cardinals will return to action in Middlebury when they play Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the Panther/Cardinal Classic on Saturday at 2 p.m.
