MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The first loss of the Cardinals season came in the form of the Middlebury Panthers on Wednesday afternoon, where Plattsburgh State was on the wrong end of a 4-1 decision.
The Cardinals led for the majority of the first half of play after scoring in the second minute of the game.
Cardinal forward Anissa Hartman (Fairfax, Vt./BFA Fairfax) was able to convert on a pass from teammate
Madeline Saccocio (Schenectady, N.Y./Schalmont) for the early lead.
Middlebury countered with the equalizer in the 42' minute when Abigail Blyler connected on a header from teammate Rebecca Palacios that barely made it by the outstretched arm of Cardinal goalie
Nichole Gibson (Arkport, N.Y./Arkport Central).
Starting the second half even at 1-1, it was the Panthers who wasted little time in grabbing the lead when Katherine Hobbs found the back of the net in the 50' minute.
Middlebury found some cushion in the 83' minute when Blyler knocked in a pass that went far post for her second goal of the game.
The Panthers tallied again roughly two minutes later. Emma Shumway collected a rebound off the cross bar and converted for a 4-1 lead.
Despite allowing four goals, Gibson played outstanding in net for Plattsburgh State. The sophomore made a few very impressive saves adding to her total of 10 stops on the night, including a few goal line stands.
The Cardinals are now 4-1 this season, and will look to turn things around this weekend when they head to Saratoga for a match with the Skidmore Thoroughbreds on Saturday.
