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. 4, 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: Admission to the Cardinals' SUNYAC semifinal matchup will be free for all fans courtesy of Chazy Orchards, the official game day sponsor.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP: Plattsburgh State holds a 22-8-3 all-time record against Fredonia, having won the last six matchups and remaining unbeaten against the Blue Devils since the 2014 season, over a decade ago. This year's semifinal marks a rematch of last season's SUNYAC semifinal, in which the Cardinals defeated the Blue Devils, 2-1, to advance to the SUNYAC Championship game.
INSIDE THE NEST: Plattsburgh State finished the regular season with a 9-3-4 overall record and a 6-1-1 mark in SUNYAC play, including a 5-2 record at home. The Cardinals secured a playoff berth with a win over Morrisville on Oct. 17 and clinched the SUNYAC East Division and a double bye into the semifinals with a win against Cobleskill on Oct. 21.
The Cardinals' offense has been a consistent force this season, producing 41 goals while averaging 2.56 goals and 22 shots per game. Plattsburgh State showcases a balanced attack, with eight different players finding the back of the net multiple times throughout the season.
Leading the Cardinals' attack is senior captain
Sydney Myers (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Saranac), the reigning SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year and an All-Region honoree. Operating in the center of the midfield, Myers leads the team in minutes played, points, goals and assists, totaling 10 goals and six assists for 26 points on the season while recording two game-winning goals. The engine behind Plattsburgh State's offense, Myers serves as the team's primary playmaker, with much of the Cardinals' attacking success running through her. She also has a history of delivering in postseason moments, scoring the go-ahead penalty kick in last season's SUNYAC semifinal against Fredonia to send Plattsburgh State to the championship game.
Leading the line at center forward is junior Bailee LaFountain (Mooers Forks, N.Y./Northeastern Clinton), who ranks second on the team in both goals and points with six goals and three assists for 15 points this season. LaFountain provides the Cardinals with a true hold-up presence against opposing back lines, using her ability to maintain possession and bring teammates into the attack while creating opportunities in the offensive third.
On the flank, junior transfer
Kyra Whitman (Stafford, Texas/Fort Bend Christian Academy) has provided an attacking spark for the Cardinals, showcasing her strength as a one-on-one attacker and her ability to generate dangerous scoring opportunities with a shot from anywhere near the box. Whitman has totaled four goals and three assists for 11 points this season, giving Plattsburgh another dynamic offensive option.
On the opposite flank, senior
Lilley Keyser (Keeseville, N.Y./AuSable Valley) brings a unique skill set to the Cardinals' attack, ranking third on the team in goals with five while adding four assists for 14 points. One of Plattsburgh State's smoothest dribblers and most effective one-on-one attackers, Keyser has helped create a promising attacking tandem alongside sophomore
Alana DeLaCruz (Albany, N.Y./Shaker). DeLaCruz offers a different threat with her exceptional speed in behind opposing back lines and relentless work rate, totaling four goals and two assists for 10 points this season. DeLaCruz previously enjoyed a breakout performance against Fredonia in her SUNYAC debut last season, recording two goals and an assist in the Cardinals' regular-season matchup with the Blue Devils.
Rounding out the midfield group alongside Myers are
Jadyn Baker (Syracuse, N.Y./Marcellus) and
Leah Warren (Lisbon, N.Y./Lisbon), who have each established themselves in important roles for the Cardinals. Baker has emerged into a starting role this season, totaling two assists while showcasing an ability to contribute in key moments. She demonstrated that postseason knack last year, scoring a goal during the Cardinals' run to the SUNYAC Championship game. Warren, meanwhile, has embraced both a starting role and a position switch to the midfield, making a seamless transition while totaling one goal and three assists this season. Like Baker, Warren has shown an ability to make an impact in the postseason, recording an assist off the bench in last year's SUNYAC Championship game.
The Cardinals' defense has been a steady presence this season, allowing just 15 goals while posting a 0.94 goals-against average and limiting opponents to 9.6 shots per game. At the heart of the backline is sophomore
Mariah Nowicki (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa), an All-Conference honoree from last season who has stepped into an anchoring role defensively. One of the Cardinals' strongest one-on-one defenders and fastest players, Nowicki provides excellent range and coverage across the backline, helping limit opposing attacking opportunities.
At outside back, senior
Lia Parker (Cadyville, N.Y./Saranac), another All-Conference honoree last season, provides a strong defensive presence in one-on-one situations while offering balance on both sides of the ball. Alongside Parker is sophomore
Ireland McGowan (Stony Brook, N.Y./Ward Melville), a physical defender who has contributed two goals this season, adding an offensive element from the backline. Junior
Amy Crowley (Wallkill, N.Y./Wallkill) completes the defensive unit, providing an ideal balance alongside Nowicki at center back. A confident player on the ball, Crowley helps initiate the Cardinals' attack from the back while maintaining a steady defensive presence. Meanwhile, fifth-year
Alexis Patrick (Burnt Hills, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) gives the Cardinals valuable depth and experience, providing another reliable option off the bench.
In goal, junior
Desiree DuBois (Champlain, N.Y./Northeastern Clinton Central), an All-Conference honoree last season, has continued to provide a steady presence between the posts for the Cardinals. DuBois has recorded 54 saves this season while posting a 1.02 goals-against average, collecting six wins and five individual shutouts. Her consistency and experience have been key components of Plattsburgh State's defensive success throughout the season.
Fifth-year head coach
Whitney Frary will lead the Cardinals into her fourth SUNYAC Tournament appearance, looking to guide Plattsburgh State back to the SUNYAC Championship game for a second consecutive season and take the next step toward capturing the conference title. Much of the Cardinals' success this season can be credited to the coaching staff of Frary,
Claire Said and
Sarah Erno.
SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS: Fredonia (11-3-4, 4-0-3) will travel to Plattsburgh for the teams' first meeting of the season following the conference's new alignment. The Blue Devils have scored 53 goals this season while averaging 17.6 shots per game. Defensively, Fredonia has allowed 30 goals and surrendered an average of 12.5 shots per game.
The Blue Devils feature six players with three or more goals this season. Their attack is led by Bronwyn Madden, who has recorded 14 goals and five assists, and Anna Ratchuk, who has tallied 12 goals and six assists. Both players have surpassed 30 points on the season. Gabby Irwin rounds out Fredonia's top three point producers with 28 points, totaling seven goals and 14 assists.
On the defensive end, the Blue Devils are anchored by goalkeeper Allyssa Hatch, who has recorded 69 saves this season, and senior defender Makayla Stainbrook, who has started all 18 games and leads the team in minutes played with 1,500.
Head coach Chris Case, the winningest coach in program history, will look to build on the Blue Devils' momentum following their 3-1 second-round victory over Buffalo State as he guides his team in pursuit of a SUNYAC Championship.
THE ROAD AHEAD: 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 fifth-seeded Oswego State.
