PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — The second-seeded Plattsburgh State women's soccer team is set to host third-seeded Fredonia in the semifinals of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Field House Complex. The Cardinals will look to begin their pursuit of the program's second-ever SUNYAC title, with their first coming in 1998.
TICKET INFORMATION: General admission on game day is $5 (cash only). Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online for $6 (includes a $1 convenience fee). SUNYAC students with valid identification will be admitted free of charge.
ABOUT THE SERIES: Plattsburgh State holds a 21-8-3 all-time record against Fredonia, having won the last five matchups and remaining unbeaten against the Blue Devils since the 2014 season, over a decade ago. The Cardinals and Blue Devils met earlier this season to open conference play on Sept. 20, with Plattsburgh earning a commanding 5-0 victory.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS: Plattsburgh State finished the regular season with a 9-6-2 overall record and a 6-1-2 mark in SUNYAC play, including a 5-2-1 record at home. The Cardinals secured a playoff berth with a tie over Oswego on Oct. 18 and clinched the No. 2 seed and a first round bye with a win against Buffalo State to close the regular season.
The Cardinals' offense has been a steady force this season, producing 26 goals while averaging 16.8 shots per game. Plattsburgh State showcases a balanced attack, with six different players finding the back of the net multiple times throughout the year.
Leading the charge is junior
Sydney Myers (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Saranac), whose impact has been undeniable. The transfer standout has totaled 25 points on 10 goals and five assists, contributing to 15 of the team's 26 goals this season. Time and again, Myers has stepped up in crucial moments, recording four game-winning goals and proving to be a difference-maker in tight contests. Primarily an attacking midfielder, Myers' versatility allows her to shift up to the front line and operate as the team's center forward when needed, providing the Cardinals with a dynamic and reliable offensive presence.
First-year
Alana DeLaCruz (Albany, N.Y./Shaker) stands as the team's second-leading point producer with 11 points on five goals and one assist this season. The dynamic outside forward has emerged as one of the Cardinals' most dangerous attacking threats, using her exceptional speed to get in behind defenses and stretch the field. DeLaCruz made a major impact the last time Plattsburgh State faced Fredonia, recording two goals and an assist in the Cardinals' victory. She has been utilized in multiple roles throughout the year, starting nine of 17 games and often providing a spark off the bench with her energy and pace.
Rounding out the group of outside forwards,
Leah Warren (Lisbon, N.Y./Lisbon) has made eight starts and scored two goals, serving as one of the Cardinals' most possession-oriented attackers. Senior
Claire Bottjer (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Our Lady of Lourdes), who has started nine games and recorded two assists, is among the team's most technically skilled players with the ball at her feet. Senior
Hannah Meyers (Peru, N.Y./Peru) has totaled seven starts and two assists, standing out for her relentless work rate and defensive contributions, often excelling in high-intensity matchups with her constant pressure. Meanwhile, junior
Lilley Keyser (Keeseville, N.Y./AuSable Valley) has started six games, registering one goal and one assist, and brings an attacking mindset to the flank, using her speed to drive play down the line.
Up top, the Cardinals employ a two-player rotation at center forward featuring sophomore Bailee LaFountain (Mooers Forks, N.Y./Northeastern Clinton) and senior
Sally Gliganic (Stony Brook, N.Y./Ward Melville), each of whom has scored two goals this season. LaFountain typically earns the starting nod, providing strong hold-up play and the ability to maintain possession in the attacking third. Gliganic offers a contrasting approach with a more aggressive style, consistently applying pressure on opposing defenses and creating disruption through her work rate and intensity.
In the midfield, alongside Myers, seniors
Jillian Bezio (Keeseville, N.Y./AuSable Valley) and
Kelly Licata (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) serve as the workhorses of the team, each starting every game they've played this season. Bezio specializes on the defensive side of the ball, patrolling the field as the Cardinals' sideline-to-sideline defensive midfielder. Licata, meanwhile, shines on the offensive end as one of the team's primary playmakers, having totaled two goals and one assist while orchestrating much of the Cardinals' attack.
The Cardinals' defense has been rock-solid this season, posting a 0.88 goals-allowed average and conceding just two goals in conference play while limiting opponents to 8.8 shots per game. At the heart of the backline is the center-back duo of sophomore
Amy Crowley (Wallkill, N.Y./Wallkill) and first-year
Mariah Nowicki (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa), who complement each other perfectly. Crowley provides a physical presence, while Nowicki brings speed and agility; the pair has started every conference game together.
At outside back, the Cardinals rely on junior
Lia Parker (Cadyville, N.Y./Saranac) and first-year
Ireland McGowan (Stony Brook, N.Y./Ward Melville), a pair of quick, tenacious defenders who excel in one-on-one situations. Together, they have amassed a combined 26 starts this season, providing stability and energy on the flanks.
In goal, the Cardinals have seamlessly found their next emerging standout in sophomore
Desiree DuBois (Champlain, N.Y./Northeastern Clinton Central). In her first season as the team's starting goalkeeper, Dubois has firmly secured the role, posting an impressive 0.45 goals-against average while starting 10 games and recording 5 wins between the posts.
Fourth-year head coach
Whitney Frary will make her third appearance in the SUNYAC Tournament, eager for a win after first-round exits in each of her previous playoff runs. Much of the Cardinals' success this season can be credited to the coaching staff of Frary,
Claire Said, and
Sarah Erno. Coming off a season in which the team missed the conference playoffs and entering the year ranked sixth in the preseason poll, the Cardinals have exceeded expectations and embraced an underdog mentality throughout the season.
ABOUT THE BLUE DEVILS: Fredonia (10-5-4, 6-2-1) will travel to Plattsburgh to play them for the second time this year, after falling to the Cardinals on Sept. 20th, 5-0. The team has totalled 36 goals scored averaging 15.9 shots per game on the year, while having allowed 23 goals allowing on average 17.4 shots per game.
The Blue Devils feature five players this season with three or more goals. Their attack is led by Bronwyn Madden, who has scored 11 goals, Gabby Irwin, who has tallied 21 points on six goals and nine assists, and Anna Ratchuk, who rounds out Fredonia's top three scorers with 12 points on four goals and four assists.
On the defensive end, the Blue Devils are anchored by goalkeeper Casey Fetzner, who has surpassed 100 saves this season, alongside senior defender Brooke Grazen, who has started all 19 games and leads the team in minutes played.
Head coach Chris Case, the winningest coach in program history, will look to build on the team's momentum after a thrilling double-overtime victory against Oswego in the first round of the SUNYAC playoffs and guide his squad toward the championship.
WHAT'S NEXT: The winner of the Plattsburgh State vs. Fredonia matchup will advance to the SUNYAC Championship, where they will face the winner of top-seeded Cortland and fourth-seeded Buffalo State.
