PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — The Plattsburgh State women's soccer team opened its 2026 season in impressive fashion Tuesday night, defeating VTSU-Castleton, 4-1, at home.
The Cardinals entered the season looking to continue their longstanding success against the Spartans, having not lost to VTSU-Castleton since 1981. Plattsburgh State also looked to build on one of its strongest seasons in recent memory after advancing to the SUNYAC final last season, which included a dramatic victory over the Spartans in the closing seconds of last year's home opener.
VTSU-Castleton struck first in the 14th minute when Chloe Green scored off an assist from Gwen Bridges to give the Spartans an early 1-0 advantage.
The Cardinals answered just over a minute later. Junior Bailee Lafountain (Mooers Forks, N.Y./Northeastern Clinton) leveled the match at 14:56, finishing off a rebound from a shot by senior Kyra Whitman (Stafford, Texas/Fort Bend Christian Academy).
Plattsburgh State took the lead in the 26th minute when sophomore Alana DeLaCruz (Albany, N.Y./Shaker) scored her first goal of the season. Whitman collected her second assist of the game after her shot struck the post before DeLaCruz finished the rebound. The Cardinals carried a 2-1 advantage into halftime.
Lafountain added her second goal of the afternoon in the 76th minute, finishing off a rebound from a shot by sophomore Jadyn Baker (Syracuse, N.Y./Marcellus), with Baker earning the assist to extend the Cardinals' lead to 3-1.
The Cardinals continued to apply pressure late, and Lafountain completed her hat trick at 85:15 when she found the back of the net for the third time. Baker once again provided the assist as Plattsburgh State secured the 4-1 victory.
Plattsburgh State dominated offensive opportunities throughout the contest, finishing with a commanding 36-3 advantage in shots and an 11-0 edge in corner kicks. The Cardinals put 17 shots on target, while VTSU-Castleton managed just one shot on goal.
Lafountain led the Cardinals offensively with three goals, while Whitman recorded two assists and Baker added two assists.
With the victory, the Cardinals open the 2026 season 1-0 and will be back in action this weekend for a pair of contests. Plattsburgh State will take on Farmingdale State before facing Stevens as the Cardinals continue their early-season schedule.
