PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Julia Masotta (Tewksbury, Mass./Norwich) scored four goals for the top-seeded and fourth-ranked Plattsburgh State women's ice hockey team on Saturday, as they defeated Morrisville 5-1 in a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) semifinal match. With the win, the Cardinals advance to the inaugural SUNYAC Championship game next Saturday where Plattsburgh will host Cortland on Saturday, March 2.

The Plattsburgh State Cardinals are currently ranked fourth in the USCHO.com Top-15 Division III Poll.

Masotta put together a career-best performance, scoring four times, to lead a strong Cardinal offensive effort. Ciara Wall (Somerville, Mass./New Hampshire) tallied the team's other goal while also picking up an assist, while Kendall Wasik (Novi, Mich./HoneyBaked) had three assists and Emma McLean (Burlington, Mass./Pomfret School) had two. Lilla Nease (Lake Forest, Calif./Anaheim Lady Ducks) earned the win in goal as she made 20 saves, allowing just one score in 60 minutes.

Plattsburgh was excellent on the advantage, as they scored twice in six tries, while Morrisville scored on their only opportunity. The Cardinals dominated the shot tally over 60 minutes, outshooting the Mustangs 41-21.

The Cards improve to 22-3-1 with the win and will now look towards the SUNYAC Championship game, as they host Cortland for the third straight season in a conference championship. Plattsburgh will be vying for their 11^th straight league title, in their third conference in that span. Morrisville concludes their season finishing 12-14.

Plattsburgh State wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as a persistent offensive attack broke through at the 4:20 mark of the first period. A McClean shot was initially saved by the Mustang's netminder, but it was rebounded by Masotta, who put the puck in the back of the net on the doorstep, putting the Cards ahead 1-0.

The Cards added the eventual game-winner at the 10:31 mark of the first period, as Masotta's persistence paid off once again, as she rebounded a saved Ava Mattaliano (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich./Belle Tire) shot with a top-shelf score from the left face-off circle. Plattsburgh held the lead through the next nine-plus minutes, taking a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

An early power-play in the second period gave the Cardinals an advantage opportunity, where Wall obliged with the third Plattsburgh goal of the game, sneaking a shot through the five-hole for her 10^th goal of the season. A five-on-three opportunity developed later in the period for the Cards, where Masotta once again rebounded a saved shot from Mattie Norton (Glen Carbon, Ill./St. Louis Lady Blues), finishing with just one second left in the period with a one-timed shot. After a brief conversation between the referees, the goal was upheld, putting Plattsburgh up 4-0 heading into the final period of play.

The final period was controlled by the Cards as they outshot the Mustangs 18-8. Morrisville finally scored at the 16:01 mark, as they went on the power play, with Hailee Eason finding the net for the team's lone goal. The Cardinals had a response, however, less than a minute later, as Masotta tallied her fourth goal of the game, sealing the Plattsburgh win.

Maggie Jones took the loss in goal for Morrisville, making 19 saves, while Elizabeth Timby made 17 saves playing the third period and Kate Mabey and Kendal Kalinowski tallied assists.