MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The Plattsburgh State women's hockey team wrapped up its regular season in a nonconference showdown as the No. 2 Cardinals traveled to play No. 3 Middlebury, defeating the Panthers 4-3.
The Cardinals got on the board quick as Katelyn Turk poked one through the five-hole of Madeline Marsh on her first shift of the game just 2:08 into the first period.
Morgan MacInnis got the assist as her warp around attempt was saved but Middlebury was unable to cover or clear the puck leaving it right on the doorstep for Turk to send in.
The Panthers would respond though on the power play as Katie Mandigo slipped it through the legs of Cardinal goaltender Camille Leonard to make it 1-1.
Plattsburgh State would reclaim the lead 3:57 into the second period when junior Bridget Balisy snuck one in between the post and the stretched out leg of Marsh.
Shannon Stewart would give the Cardinals all the momentum going into the second intermission as she lit the lamp with just six seconds remaining in the second period.
Line-mate Jordan Lipson carried the puck around behind the net before sending a centering pass to Stewart in the slot for a one-timer by the right pad of Marsh.
Katie Sullivan would cut into the Plattsburgh State lead to make it 3-2 Cardinals when she sniped one top-shelf over Leonard with 12:30 remaining in the third period.
The Cardinals would recovery though to recollect their two goal lead, 4-2 when Giovanna Senese scored with 7:05 remaining in the third period.
Senese converted a 2-on-1 opportunity with Melissa Sheeran springing the junior alone with the goalie beating Marsh short side over top shelf.
Middlebury wouldn't go down quietly making 4-3 with just 2:39 remaining in the third period on Katie Sullivan's second goal of the game.
The Panthers called a timeout and pulled their goalie to put the pressure on Plattsburgh State. Sullivan would beat Leonard on a rebound to pull Middlebury back within one but that's as close as they would get.
Leonard would finish the day with 22 saves on 25 shots. Panthers goalie Marsh gathered 26 saves herself while allowing four goals in the loss.
Plattsburgh State finishes the regular season at 21-2-2 and will get a bye in the ECAC West quarterfinals of the conference tournament as they finished the two seed. The next Cardinal game will come March 7 in Elmira against one of the quarterfinal winners.
