PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The 2016-17 women's ice hockey season has arrived and it came in the form of a 5-0 win over the Hockey Training Institute Stars in an exhibition contest on Saturday afternoon at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena.
 
Despite the end result, the Stars presented a few challenges to the Cardinals while only skating 15 athletes.
 
With that said, the Cardinals were still able to control the game, scoring three goals in the first period of play. Sophomore Karen Hudson (Sykesville,Md./The Washington Pride)got the Cardinals going, scoring two of the first three goals for Plattsburgh.
 
Then with roughly five minutes left in the first period, sophomore Courtney Moriarty (Estero, Fla./Northfield Mt. Hermon) tallied a goal for the third Cardinal score of the game.
 
It was a physical game on Saturday afternoon, and the penalties were through the roof at the Ronnie B. The Cardinals drew eight, while the Stars were called for 15 penalties through the entirety of the contest.
 
In the second, Plattsburgh State outshot the Stars 13-4, but neither team managed to find the back of the net.
 
The Cardinals found the scoring groove again in the third period. Senior Melissa Ames (Rochester, N.Y./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite U19) converted on the power play five minutes into the stanza for a 4-0 Cardinal lead.
 
Topping of the afternoon, junior Melissa Sheeran (Schaghticoke, N.Y./Millbrook School) found the back of the net on a power play opportunity with about 10 minutes remaining in the game.
 
Cardinal goaltender Camille Leonard made 13 saves in earning the shutout against the Stars.
 
The Cardinals will open the regular season next weekend on the road when they travel to play Williams Smith College on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.