UTICA, NY- Nationally ranked No. 1 Plattsburgh State scored five unanswered goals to down host Utica College 6-1 in ECAC West women’s hockey action Sunday afternoon.
The loss snaps Utica’s seven-game winning streak. The Pioneers fall to 16-6-1 on the year and 12-3-1 in the conference, while Plattsburgh improves to 23-1 (16-1 ECAC West). The Cardinals’ lone blemish on the season came Saturday night as Utica came away with a 4-2 victory. UC now looks to bounce back during the final series of the regular season as it hosts Buffalo State next weekend. The Bengals are currently three points behind the Pioneers in the conference standings; however both teams are guaranteed a first round home playoff game. Puck drop against Buff State is scheduled for 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Plattsburgh got on the board just 2:10 into the game, on the first shot on goal as Courtney Moriarty snuck a shot through the five-hole of junior Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School) for her 16th goal of the season. Muna Fadel was credited with an assist on the power play goal.
The Pioneers tied it up with just under five minutes remaining in the opening period as junior Victoria Pelton (Sterling Heights, MI/Belle Tire) fired a shot just under the cross bar for her second of the season. Emily Coope (Phoenix, AZ/Colorado Tigers) and Kayla Dion (Colchester, VT/Boston Shamrocks ) earned the assists on the equalizer.
The second period was all Plattsburgh as the Cardinals scored five goals on 17 shots. Jordan Lipson and Kayla Meneghin each had two goals, while Erin Brand netted game-winner.
Goin and sophomore Amanda Lupo (Auburn, NY/Skaneateles) combined for 24 saves, while Camille Leonard made 12 stops in net for Plattsburgh. The nation’s top power play showed its strength today as the Cardinals went 3-for-5 with the man advantage. Utica meanwhile, was held scoreless on three power play opportunities.
