MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The top ranked Plattsburgh State women's ice hockey team was in unchartered waters this season as it trailed 3-1 after two periods to Gustavus Adolphus Sunday afternoon. However the Cardinals would rally for four goals in the third period to calm the Gusites 5-3 In the Cardinal/Panther Classic.
 
The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead early in the first period when senior defenseman Andrea Ziesmann slap shot from the blue line ripped the twine on the man advantage.
 
Gustavus Adolphus would respond midway through the first, capitalizing on the Plattsburgh State turnover in its own defensive zone. Allison Eder-Zdechlik picked up the Cardinals miscue and was able to beat Plattsburgh State goaltender Camille Leonard to tie the game 1-1.
 
The Gusties would own the second period, scoring twice to balloon their lead to 3-1.
 
Marina Chapman skated coast-to-coast on the power play firing a shot on Leonard who made the initial save, but Chapman followed up her own shot to give the Gusties a 2-1 advantage.
 
Later in the second, Allie Lewis would skate down the right side shooting on Leonard, who made the save, but Katy Fuller was positioned on the near post to tap in the rebound.
 
It was the first time this season the Cardinals trailed going into the third period.
 
Despite the slow start, the Cardinals would catch fire, scoring four goals in a 4:25 span to avoid the upset.
 
On the power play, Kayla Meneghin netted a rebound goal off her own shot to close it to 3-2.
 
A minute and seven seconds later, senior captain Bridget Balisy stuffed in a pass from Jordan Lipson on the near post to tie the game at 3-3.
 
Melissa Sheeran would score the third power play goal and the game-winner for the Cardinals when she knocked in the puck after it trickled through Amanda DiNella's goalie pads.
 
Meneghin would finish it off with her second of the afternoon after receiving a stretch pass from Giovanna Senese that sent the sophomore in on a breakaway. The Clifton, N.J., native would beat DiNella top shelf. Meneghin has now scored in seven consecutive games and now leads the team with 11 goals and 21 points.
 
The Cardinals finished with a 39-22 shot advantage as Leonard made 19 saves while DiNella made 28 saves before giving away to Lindsey Hibbard for the final 10:21 of the game.
 
Plattsburgh State would finish the afternoon 3-8 on the power play while Gustavus Adolphus finished 1-4.
 
Plattsburgh State improves to 9-0-0, which is the best start in program history. The Cardinals have now won 20 straight games, which is the longest win streak in the proud tradition since winning 18 straight on two separate occasions. Gustavus Adolphus falls to 3-3-2 after losing both games in the Cardinal/Panther Classic.
 
The Cardinals will face a quick turnaround when they host Postdam on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in an ECAC West clash of North Country teams.