MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The top ranked Cardinals traveled to Middlebury for the annual Cardinal/Panther Classic on Saturday, defeating Wisconsin-Stevens Point 5-1.
 
The Pointers would get on the board early in the first to take a 1-0 lead. After two initial saves by Plattsburgh State goaltender, Camille Leonard, Courtney Baugher gathered the rebound and tapped it in.
 
Plattsburgh State would respond by scoring three-straight in under four minutes to go up 3-1 midway through the first period.
 
Defenseman, Maci Hoskins sent a pass to Bridget Balisy, collecting it on her backhand before dragging it around the sliding goalie and tucking it in on her forehand.
 
The line of Melissa Sheeran, Kayla Meneghin, and Giovanna Senese would account for the next two Cardinal goals.
 
First was Sheeran from Meneghin and Senese. Meneghin sent a pass into the slot to Sheeran who beat Wisconsin-Stevens Point goalie Lisa Fowle low.
 
Next was Meneghin from Senese and Sheeran as Senese sent a cross ice pass to Meneghin, who was stationed far post to tap it into the back of the net.
 
The Cardinals would make it 4-1 with 11:35 left in the third period after converting a power play goal. Lipson took a shot from right goal line that caromed off the goalie to Senese in front of the net, who tapped it into the back of the net.
 
Sheeran would strike again for her second of the game to give the Cardinals a 5-1 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the game. The sophomore raced through the Pointers defense before deking the goalie and slipping it five hole.
 
Leonard finished the day with 30 saves while Fowle made 26 saves as both teams had 31 shots.
 
With the win, Plattsburgh State remains undefeated and goes to 8-0-0 while Wisconsin-Stevens Point falls to 5-3-1.
 
The Cardinals will return to action Sunday at 1 p.m. to face Gustavus Adolphus in the second day of the Cardinal/Panther Classic. Last year the two teams skated to a 4-4 tie.