PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The top ranked Plattsburgh State women’s ice hockey team was back in the NCAA postseason spotlight on Saturday afternoon hosting No. 6 Amherst College in the NCAA Division III Quarterfinal round in which the Cardinals came out on top by a score of 5-0.
It was a back and forth affair in the first period. Neither team managed to get on the scoreboard; however the Cardinals controlled the majority of play, out-shooting Amherst 14-4.
Plattsburgh State forward Kayla Meneghin broke the scoreless draw just over six minutes into the second period. Teammate Melissa Sheeran sent a cross from the far corner of the offensive zone that bounced off the side of the net for Meneghin to collect and wrap around the back side of the net for the score.
Roughly two minutes later, Melissa Ames made it a 2-0 for the Cardinals. After a series of shots from Plattsburgh’s Mackenzie Millen andKatelyn Turk, Ames collected a rebound in the slot and buried the puck past Amherst goalie Sabrina Dobbins.
Less than a minute later, it was duo of Meneghin and Sheeran striking again. This time, Sheeran finding her 27th goal of the season. Meneghin brought the puck behind the net, only to dump it behind and fake out Dobbins. Sheeran was there to collect and finish for the Cardinals.
Plattsburgh State outshot Amherst 17-6 en route to a 3-0 lead heading into the third period.
The Cardinals would add to their lead just over five minutes into the final frame when Millen buried her third goal of the season on a rebound pass from Turk to make it 4-0.
With just 54 seconds left in regulation, Cardinal senior Bridget Balisy converted on the power play opportunity for her 12th goal of the season. Skating through the slot, Balisy was able to redirect a Jordan Lipson pass that slide through Dobbins to cap off a Cardinal 5-0 victory.
Plattsburgh State goalie Camille Leonard made 25 saves in keeping Amherst off the board, while Dobbins made 35 stops in the losing effort.
The Cardinals outshot Amherst 40-25 for the contest.
Amherst finishes the season at 22-3-3.
With the win the Cardinals improve to 27-1-0 and advance to the NCAA Division III final four next weekend at a location yet to be determined.
