PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The top-seeded and 12th-ranked Plattsburgh State women's ice hockey team will look to defend its 2025 SUNYAC Tournament title on Saturday, March 7, at 3 p.m. at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena, as the Cardinals host third-seeded Cortland in the SUNYAC Championship.
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 holds a 59-5-1 advantage all-time against Cortland. This season, the Cardinals swept the season series, earning a 4-3 road victory in a thriller before securing a commanding 5-1 win at home to complete the sweep.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS: Plattsburgh State (19-6-1, 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 fresh off last weekend's 7-0 semifinal rout of William Smith, which moved the Cardinals up one spot to No. 12 in the USCHO.com Women's Division III Top-15 Poll. Offensively, Plattsburgh State is averaging 3.3 goals per game, while its defense has been the team's strength, posting a goals-against average of just 1.3.
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 26 points on seven goals and a team-high 19 assists, and recorded a goal and an assist in the Cardinals' semifinal victory. First-year forward
Bailey MacKellar (Hamburg, N.Y./Nichols School), the SUNYAC Rookie of the Year, has totaled 21 points on 13 goals and eight assists, including a team-best seven goals and 13 points in conference play. MacKellar also rose to the occasion last weekend, scoring in the Cardinals' semifinal matchup.
Senior defender
Taya Balfour (Moorestown, N.J./Philadelphia Jr. Flyers), the SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year, has been a major contributor offensively as well, posting 21 points on seven goals and 14 assists. First-year forward
Zoe Puc (West Palm Beach, Fla./Florida Alliance) has added 21 points of her own, tallying eight goals and 13 assists, while sophomore defender
Seoyoung Yoo (Yongin, Republic of Korea/Ontario Hockey Academy) has contributed seven points and 26 blocked shots, helping anchor a lockdown defensive unit.
Plattsburgh State's defense has been the cornerstone of the team's success. Balfour and Yoo anchor a back end that allows just 1.3 goals per game while limiting opponents to 18 shots per contest. The unit is complemented by junior
Maeghan Forsyth (Billings, Mont./Notre Dame Hounds), who leads the team with 29 blocked shots, senior
Su-An Cho (Madison, Ala./Florida Alliance), and junior
Adriana Urban (Monroe, N.J./Hoosac School), who scored in the team's semifinal victory, forming a formidable defensive corps.
In goal, sophomore
Maddy Stetson (Wasilla, Alaska/Little Caesars) has excelled in net, appearing in 14 games with 12 starts. She has posted a 10-2-1 record, a 0.79 goals-against average, and a .954 save percentage, providing the Cardinals with a steady presence between the pipes. Stetson was especially sharp in the semifinal victory, recording a 13-save shutout.
Head Coach
Kevin Houle holds a 536-75-29 career record and is seeking his 14th conference championship in his illustrious career. Houle and his staff were also recognized for their efforts this season, earning SUNYAC Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
ABOUT THE RED DRAGONS: Third-seeded Cortland (16-7-4, 8-4-2) is coming off a 2-1 semifinal victory over second-seeded Oswego and is seeking its second SUNYAC crown in the last three seasons.
Cortland averages 2.8 goals per game while allowing just 1.7 goals per contest, ranking third in the SUNYAC in both categories. Junior forward Katie Mahoney leads the team with 27 points on 11 goals and 19 assists, while junior forward Kira Cook leads the Red Dragons with 13 goals, including six on the power play, the most in the conference. Six other players have recorded at least 10 points this season, including defenseman Carlen Bertrand, who ranks second among SUNYAC defensemen with 18 points, and senior Fanny Aneborn, who has totaled 23 points on 12 goals and 11 assists, including the game-winning goal in Cortland's semifinal victory.
In goal, first-year Eline Gillodes has started every game, posting a 14-7-4 record with a 1.64 goals-against average, a .930 save percentage, and four shutouts, ranking among the top first-year netminders in the nation.
WHAT'S NEXT: The winner of this game will be crowned SUNYAC Champion and will earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
