JOHNSON, Vt. – The Plattsburgh State women's soccer team used a fast start and a four-goal second half to cruise past Vermont State University Johnson, 5-1, Wednesday evening on the road.
The Cardinals continued their dominance in the all-time series against the Badgers, remaining unbeaten against VTSU-Johnson in program history. Plattsburgh most recently defeated Johnson, 6-1, last season.
Plattsburgh wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as sophomore Kyra Whitman (Stafford, Texas/Fort Bend Christian Academy) scored just 1:49 into the contest. Senior Lilley Keyser (Keeseville, N.Y./AuSable Valley) assisted on the opening goal, giving the Cardinals an early 1-0 advantage.
The Cardinals continued to control play throughout the opening half and doubled their lead in the 35th minute. Sophomore Alana DeLaCruz (Albany, N.Y./Shaker) found the back of the net at 34:26, with Whitman providing the assist. Plattsburgh carried a 2-0 advantage into halftime.
The Cardinals continued their offensive pressure after the break. DeLaCruz struck again at 62:48 to extend the lead to 3-0. Just under three minutes later, Keyser added a goal of her own at 65:43, putting Plattsburgh ahead, 4-0.
VTSU-Johnson got on the board in the 69th minute when Emilia Garcia converted a penalty kick to cut the deficit to 4-1. The Cardinals answered late, as first-year Brynn Hite (Rouses Point, N.Y./Northeastern Clinton) scored at 88:49 to cap the scoring and give Plattsburgh the 5-1 victory.
Plattsburgh controlled the run of play throughout the contest, outshooting VTSU-Johnson, 21-6, including a 13-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Cardinals also held a 10-1 edge in corner kicks.
The Cardinals' defensive effort limited the Badgers to just two shots in the opening half and six total for the game. Plattsburgh recorded two saves in the victory, while VTSU-Johnson made eight saves.
With the win, the Cardinals improve to 3-1-2 on the season and will be back in action Saturday on the road when they take on RPI.
