PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The top-seeded and thirteenth-ranked Plattsburgh State women's ice hockey team begins its quest to defend its 2025 SUNYAC Tournament title on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 3 p.m. at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena, as the Cardinals host fourth-seeded William Smith in the semifinal round.
TICKET PRICING: General admission tickets are $5 at the door and $6 online ($5 plus a $1 convenience fee)
here. SUNYAC students with valid identification will be admitted free of charge. Tickets are on sale now online, and in-person sales will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
ABOUT THE SERIES: Plattsburgh State is 8-0 all-time against William Smith. This season, the Cardinals swept the season series, shutting out the Herons 4-0 at home and following up with a 2-1 road victory to complete the sweep.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS: Plattsburgh State (18-6-1, 12-1-1 SUNYAC) is aiming for back-to-back SUNYAC Championships in the conference's third season of women's ice hockey. The Cardinals also seek to continue their dominance in the league, having won 11 of the last 12 conference titles.
Plattsburgh State is currently ranked No. 13 in the USCHO.com Women's Division III Top-15 Poll. Offensively, the Cardinals average 3.2 goals per game, while their defense has been the team's hallmark, posting a goals-against average of just 1.4.
The Cardinals feature a balanced offensive attack this season, led by five All-SUNYAC honorees. Junior forward
Emily Kasprzak (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Pittsburgh Penguins Elite) leads the team with 23 points on six goals and a team-high 17 assists. First-year forward
Bailey MacKellar (Hamburg, N.Y./Nichols School), the SUNYAC Rookie of the Year, has totaled 20 points with 12 goals and eight assists, including a team-best seven goals and 13 points in conference play. Senior defender
Taya Balfour (Moorestown, N.J./Philadelphia Jr. Flyers), the SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year, has also been a major contributor offensively, posting 20 points with seven goals and 13 assists. First-year forward
Zoe Puc (West Palm Beach, Fla./Florida Alliance) has contributed 20 points herself, scoring eight goals and adding 13 assists, while sophomore defender
Seoyoung Yoo (Yongin, Republic of Korea/Ontario Hockey Academy) has chipped in seven points and 26 blocked shots, helping form a lockdown defensive unit.
Plattsburgh State's defense has been the cornerstone of the team's success. Balfour and Yoo anchor the back end that allows just 1.4 goals per game while limiting opponents to 18.2 shots per contest. Balfour leads all defenders with 29 blocked shots, while Yoo adds 26 more. The unit is complemented by junior
Maeghan Forsyth (Billings, Mont./Notre Dame Hounds) and senior
Su-An Cho (Madison, Ala./Florida Alliance), creating a formidable defensive corps.
In goal, sophomore
Maddy Stetson (Wasilla, Alaska/Little Caesars) has excelled in net, appearing in 13 games with 11 starts. She has posted a 9-2-1 record, a 0.86 goals-against average, and a .951 save percentage, providing the Cardinals with a steady presence between the pipes.
Head Coach
Kevin Houle holds a 535-75-29 career record and is seeking his 14th conference championship in his illustrious career.
ABOUT THE HERONS: Fourth-seeded William Smith (12-14-0, 7-7-0) is coming off a 3-2 overtime victory over Canton in the first round as they continue their quest for their first SUNYAC title in the program's inaugural season in the conference.
Sophomore Bella Hacker leads William Smith offensively with 14 points on eight goals and six assists. First-year Finley Crosby, an All-Rookie Team selection, has matched that total with 14 points, scoring seven goals and adding a team-high seven assists. Senior captain Kelly Howe has contributed six goals and six assists.
In goal, junior Mia Iwicki has played the majority of the minutes, posting an 8-12-0 record with a 2.44 goals-against average, a .932 save percentage, and three shutouts.
WHAT'S NEXT: The winner of this game will face either second-seeded Oswego State or third-seeded Cortland in the SUNYAC Championship. The SUNYAC Tournament champion earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
