E-mail this pagePlattsburgh State Women's Ice Hockey
2007 & '08 NCAA Champions
2006 & '07 ECAC West Champions
Apr. 14, 2008
Plattsburgh Mentor Helps Team USA Capture World Gold
HARBIN, China - Plattsburgh State head coach Kevin Houle is an assistant with Team USA that clinched the World Women's Hockey Championship with a one-goal win over Canada. He is a three-time NCAA Coach of the Year and has directed the Cardinals to the last two Division III championships.
Game Recap Courtesy of Team USA Website: The U.S. Women's National Team captured the gold medal with a 4-3 win over Canada at the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation World Women's Championship here at the Baqu Arena over the weekend. Team USA finished with the tournament with a 4-0-1-0 record and ended with back-to-back victories over top-seeded Canada for its second gold medal in the last three world championships.
Team USA took a 2-1 lead in the opening period, then went up 4-1 in the second frame before Canada scored two third-period goals for the 4-3 score. (Coach Houle pictured far right)
"We're extremely proud of our team and the way they performed throughout the entire tournament," said Jackie Barto, head coach for Team USA. "We came out and built on the energy we established on Thursday - it was a great win for Team USA. Jessie Vetter was outstanding in goal and came up with some big saves. We also had exceptional leadership from our veterans; their experience was very helpful in this team reaching its goal of winning the gold medal."
In the first period, Canada gained a 1-0 lead at the 1:57 mark when Sarah Vaillancourt flipped the puck into the right corner of the net during a four-on-four situation.
Team USA bounced back with a pair of goals to take a 2-1 lead before the period had expired. Jenny Potter (Edina, Minn.) was first to score for the Americans, as Julie Chu (Fairfield, Conn.) fed her the puck and she one-timed it from the right point at 8:09 during a U.S. power play. Captain Natalie Darwitz (Eagan, Minn.) then gave Team USA the one-goal advantage as she skated up the length of the ice, deked in front of the Canadian net and put a wrist shot inside the right post at 17:41.
In the middle frame, the United States tallied twice more to take a 4-1 lead. The first was scored during a two-man advantage when Angela Ruggiero (Harper Woods, Mich.) took a shot from the top of the slot that bounced off the end boards and was tipped in by Potter at 10:54. Darwitz then netted her second of the evening, again skating up the length of the ice on the right side and sniping the puck just inside the far post past Canadian netminder Kim St-Pierre at 18:41.
In the final stanza, Canada potted a pair of goals within a 1:10 span to cut the U.S. lead to 4-3. Katie Weatherston scored at 8:38, followed by a power-play rebound-goal from Jennifer Botterill at 9:48. Team USA then killed off three penalties in the final half of the period to secure the win.
St-Pierre and Charline Labonte combined for 25 saves in net for Canada, while Jessie Vetter (Cottage Grove, Wis.) stopped 21 for the United States.
NOTES: Team USA was 2-for-13 on the power play, while holding Canada to 1-for-11 with the man advantage...Natalie Darwitz, Jenny Potter and Caitlin Cahow were named Team USA's best players of the tournament...Angela Ruggiero won the Directorate Award as the tournament's best defenseman, while Natalie Darwitz was the tournament's top forward and the overall MVP...Molly Engstrom sat out the game with an injury...The United States had never previously beaten Canada twice in one world championship...All Team USA games were audiocast live via usahockey.com, and will later be archived with video in the same location...Team USA has won one gold medal and nine silver medals in the 10 previous IIHF World Women’s Championships...Joining Jackie Barto on the coaching staff as assistant coaches are Paul Flanagan, head women's ice hockey coach at Syracuse University, and Kevin Houle, head women's ice hockey coach at SUNY-Plattsburgh. Dave Flint, head women's ice hockey coach at Saint Anselm College, is serving as the goaltending coach.
GAME SUMMARY
Scoring By Period
USA 2 2 0 -- 4
CAN 1 0 2 -- 3
First Period - Scoring: 1, CAN, Vaillancourt (Kingsbury), 1:57 (4x4); 2, USA, Potter (Chu, Duggan), 8:09 (pp); 3, USA, Darwitz (Bellamy, Cahow), 17:41. Penalties: USA, Lawler (tripping), 1:31; CAN, Apps (cross-checking), 1:45; CAN, Sostorics (tripping), 5:56; CAN, Agosta (tripping), 7:42; USA, Marvin (holding), 10:13; USA, Marvin (high-sticking), 12:51; USA, Weiland (hooking), 15:19.
Second Period - Scoring: 5, USA, Potter (Ruggiero), 10:54 (5x3pp); 6, USA, Darwitz (Bellamy), 18:41. Penalties: USA, Parsons (tripping), 1:27; CAN, Wickenheiser (holding), 1:56; CAN, Apps (roughing), 9:24; CAN, Sostorics (hooking), 10:41; CAN, Collins (delay of game), 12:11; USA, Bellamy (interference), 16:05; CAN, Hefford (body-checking), 19:53.
Third Period - Scoring: 6, CAN, Weatherston (Kellar, Sostorics), 8:38 (4x4); 7, CAN, Botterill (Ouellette), 9:48 (pp). Penalties: USA, Drazan (hooking), 1:36; CAN, MacLeod (tripping), 4:02; Botterill (boarding), 6:56; Chu (body-checking), 8:26; CAN, Hefford (hooking), 12:13; USA, Duggan (tripping), 13:02; USA, Ruggiero (tripping), 13:56; CAN, Agosta (cross-checking), 16:09; USA, Marvin (holding), 17:59; CAN, Hefford (hooking), 19:41.
Shots by Period 1 2 3 Total
USA 10 10 9 29
CAN 9 8 7 24
Goaltenders (SH/SV) 1 2 3 Total
USA, Vetter, 60:00 9-8 8-8 7-5 24-21
CAN, St-Pierre, 40:00 10-8 10-8 x-x 20-16
CAN, Labonte, 19:22 x-x x-x 9-9 9-9
Power Play: USA 2-13; CAN 1-11
Penalties: USA 11-22; CAN 13-26
Officials: Referee-Nicole Hertrich (GER); Linesmen-Sanna Pauliina Haapalahti (FIN),
Miyuki Nakayama (JPN)
Team USA 2008 IIHF World Women’s Championship Schedule & Results
April 4-12 • Harbin, China • Baqu Arena
Date Opponent Time (Local/EDT)/Result
Fri., April 4 Germany W, 8-1
Sun., April 6 Switzerland W, 7-1
Tues., April 8 Finland* L, 0-1 (OT)
Thurs., April 10 Canada* W, 4-2
Sat., April 12 Canada^ W, 4-3
*Qualifying Round ^Gold-Medal Game
Apr. 3, 2008
Houle Tabbed 2008 AHCA Coach of the Year
GLOUCESTER, Mass. -
Kevin Houle, who led Plattsburgh State to its second consecutive NCAA Division III Championship in women's ice hockey, has been voted by his peers as the American Hockey Coaches' Association Coach of the Year for an unprecedented third year in a row. The Coach of the Year Award is chosen by members of the AHCA and will be presented on April 26 at the Coach of the Year Celebration in Naples, Fla., as part of the annual AHCA Convention.
"It's an honor to receive this award and an accomplishment to earn it three years in a row. It's tied to the success of our program that has been achieved the last three seasons. Most of the credit goes to the dedicated players and coaching staff--assistants Erin O'Brien and Chad Kemp--that have worked hard making the Plattsburgh State program one of the best in the country," Houle said.
Plattsburgh went 25-3-1 in 2007-08, downing Elmira (2-0) and Manhattanville (3-2) in the NCAA Tournament semifinals and finals last month at home in the Stafford Arena. The first victory over the Soaring Eagles was a measure of revenge for the Cardinals, who were denied by Elmira of a third straight ECAC West Tournament crown. The Cardinals did win their fifth-consecutive conference regular season championship.
In winning back-to-back NCAA titles, Houle, who is 121-19-7 in five seasons at the school, joins elite company as only Middlebury and Elmira had multiple championships at this level of NCAA play. He is the winningest active coach, men's or women's, in NCAA all-Divisions with an .847 percentage.
In addition to his successful season at Plattsburgh, Houle was named as an assistant coach on this year's U.S. Women's National Team. He served with head coach Jackie Barto's squad in Sweden in the fall and is currently in China for the 2008 World Championships.
Houle is a 1986 graduate of Boston College, where he lettered for four years for coach Len Ceglarski.
The runners-up for this year's award were Lauren McAuliffe, first-year head coach at Manhattanville College, and Dan Laughlin, head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
Previous Winners
2000 Ted Wisner, Colgate
2001 Bill Mandigo, Middlebury
2002 Jamie Wood, Elmira
2003 Michele Amidon, Bowdoin
2004 Bill Mandigo, Middlebury
2005 Bill Mandigo, Middlebury
2006 Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State
2007 Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State
2008 Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State
Mar. 24, 2008
NCAA Championship T-Shirts Arrive on April 7
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
The College Store officials have announced that a limited supply of NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Championship T-shirts will be sold Monday, April 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. Cardinal hockey fans can make preorders
in the store and online at www.mypsubookstore.com
. The College Store is located on the Plattsburgh State campus in Saranac Hall at 43 Rugar Street, across from the Angell College Center. Phone locally 564-2082 or toll-free (888) 778-4438. Store hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from Noon to 4 p.m. (Closed on Sunday).
Mar. 22, 2008
Plattsburgh State: Back-To-Back Champions
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
The top-ranked Plattsburgh State Cardinals defeated No. 10 Manhattanville, 3-2, to claim the 2008 NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Championship, at Stafford Ice Arena on Saturday night. The title is the second consecutive for the Cardinals, who defeated three-time winner Middlebury at Stafford last season. BOXSCORE
Plattsburgh (25-3-1) joins Middlebury (3) and Elmira (2) as the only teams to win multiple Division-III Women's Ice Hockey Championships.
The Cardinals got on the scoreboard first midway through first period as Laurie Bowler slapped her own rebound in mid-air past Valiant net minder Karine Turmel. Claire O'Connor and senior first-team All-American Julie Devereux assisted on the power-play goal.
Manhattanville (24-7-0) struck back quickly as Amanda Nonis scored her third goal of the weekend and 19th of the season 11 minutes into the first. Sarah Fullerton and Erin Brawley tallied assists on Nonis' man-advantage score.
Danielle Blanchard, also a first-team All-American and Laura Hurd winner as the Division III Player of the Year, put Plattsburgh up 2-1 as she scored her 28th goal of the season, on a one-timer from Stephanie Moberg. Sophomore Amber Ellis scored the eventual game-winner just 49 seconds later, freshmen Kate Fairfield and Brittany Meade assisted on the goal.
Manhattanville's Natalie Zitek scored her 12th goal of the season 11:36 into the second period, the power play score was assisted by first-team All-American Danielle Nagymarosi and Monique Rafferty. The Valiants nearly tied the game late in the third period but a goal was disallowed as an official's whistle had already blown the play dead for a delayed penalty on Plattsburgh. The Cardinals were then faced with a 5-3 disadvantage for 1:38, which they were able to kill off.
Plattsburgh out shot the Valiants, 20-9, in the first period, Turmel made 17 saves, setting a Division-III Women's Championship Game record for saves in a period. Turmel finished the contest with 33 saves and Cardinal goalie Danielle Beattie stopped 22 shots en route to her 21st victory of the year.
NCAA All-Tournament Team : F Danielle Blanchard (Plattsburgh), F Stephanie Moberg (Plattsburgh), F Amanda Nonis (Manhattanville), D Julie Devereux (Plattsburgh), D Sharis Smith (Plattsburgh), G Danielle Beattie (Plattsburgh).
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Manhattanville Coach Lauren McAuliffe Opening Statement
"I think you guys (the media) all saw a great hockey game today. I'm extremely proud of my team, and how these girls played. It's tough for them to play so hard and not come out on top. That's how it goes sometimes...unfortunate. But, I think we showed that we're a good team. It hurts."
Coach McAuliffe on Trying to Come Back Against a Quality Team Like Plattsburgh
"It's a character test. We have that, and showed that ability a lot this season. It's a tough team to score goals against. I don't think we ever thought that we were out of it, even though we trailed 3-1 at the end of the first period. It could have been easy to think the game was over, especially in they're barn. But I'm proud that we battled back to win the second, and even the third, I thought."
Plattsburgh State Coach Kevin Houle on Becoming Third School with Multiple NCAA Titles
"It's nice to have those two together and a great accomplishment."
Coach Houle on the Fast Start
"I thought we really came out flying and we wanted to make that statement in the first period. We wanted to hopefully get the lead early on. After Manhattanville didn't score on a 5-on-3 power play, I thought they played an excellent game and give them all the credit in the world for coming back. They pushed us to the limit."
Plattsburgh Senior Defenseman Julie Devereux Comments
"We wanted it so bad. Every player on the ice wanted to make a play. That's how we won. It's amazing to win two national championships. I'm a senior so that's exactly how I wanted to go out and end my career. Winning it last year was our first time, so you can't beat that feeling. It's gratifying to see the freshmen win one."
Plattsburgh Junior Center Danielle Blanchard Comments
"I think we approached this year differently because we had a different team makeup. I think we worked really hard to attain our goal of a national championship. The freshmen energized us to want to win, and it's exciting for them."
Plattsburgh Junior Forward Shay Bywater Comments
"Winning the NCAA championship is just as exciting as the year before. We worked hard the first day we arrived for classes in the fall. Our step-by-step goal was to take each game at a time, but, as a team, we knew we wanted to repeat as national champions. The dedication and sacrifices the team made paid off."
Plattsburgh Junior Goalie Danielle Beattie Comments
"I sat last year on the bench and I wanted to win a championship for myself, so this is an amazing feeling. Pregame rituals help me focus on the game. The adrenaline of a big game got me going. I knew what I had to do today, and I'm glad that I was able to contribute."
Elmira Takes Third Place
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Elmira College scored an early goal to set the tone and Cara McGurry made 31 saves as the Soaring Eagles shut out Wisconsin-Superior, 3-0, in the Third Place Game of the NCAA Tournament. No. 4 Elmira (23-6-1) earns its first third-place trophy in the school's fourth Frozen Four appearance. The sixth-ranked Yellowjackets (23-6-1) were making their first final four berth in the program's history. BOXSCORE
Jamie Huntley scored 32 seconds after the opening face-off to give Elmira all the offense it would need. Kayla Coady and Jamie Kivi assisted on Huntley's seventh goal of the season. Rebecca Coakley fed Lauryn DePaul's 13th goal at the 14:47 mark for a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period.
Karen Colehour added an empty-net goal with 32 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
For the second straight day, UW-Superior outshot the opponent by holding a 31-26 advantage over Elmira. The Yellowjackets yesterday bested Manhattanville 37-19 in a 4-3 overtime loss.
McGurry posted her fourth shutout of the season and 14th all-time.
Melissa Kunzelman recorded 23 saves for the Yellowjackets.
THIRD-PLACE GAME PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Wisconsin-Superior Coach Dan Laughlin Opening Statement
"First of all, I'd like to thank the NCAA for a well-run tournament and Plattsburgh State for being good hosts. It's a first-class event.
"These third-place games are tough to play in. You always come to the Frozen Four to win it, and it's tough when you lose that first game.
"Elmira did some good things. They had good shots. I thought for the most part we were right with them. I thought we played well."
Senior Forward Gina Baranzelli On Experience Playing in First Frozen Four
"I thought it was an amazing experience. The seniors are grateful to be here and we played with some great girls on this team. I wish I had another year of eligibility to play here again. I think we were just as good as any team here."
Coach Laughlin's Thoughts on School Meaning for Program's First-Ever Frozen Four
"A great experience for the institution and now we have a taste of it. Our program did a lot of great things this year, including winning our conference again. No one really believed in us. Now we can build on this and pass along to future classes."
Elmira Coach Paul Nemetz-Carlson Opening Statement
"We came out today and had fun. We talked about that we were going to go out on a good note for our seniors. We scored some good goals and had solid goaltending. Today, served as a reminder that we know that we have the quality that we have built to play at a high level."
Senior Goalie Cara McGurry Comments
"It was important for us to end the season with a win. It was a good feeling to get the goal and go up 1-0."
Coach Nemetz-Carlson Concludes
"I think it's fair to say that we enjoyed every bit of experience throughout the NCAA Tournament. We'll have memories 20 years from now. We'll remember that we played a tough game last night (losing 2-0 to Plattsburgh in the semifinals). We'll remember that we had a really positive way to end it.
"Our seniors--all five of them--stepped up and played great. We jumped on their backs the last 1-1/2 months of the season and they've carried us. That says a lot about the leadership we have."
Mar. 21, 2008
Plattsburgh Earns Chance to Defend NCAA Crown
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Top-ranked Plattsburgh State defeated Elmira College, 2-0, in the NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Semifinals on Friday evening at Stafford Ice Arena. The defending national champion Cardinals (24-3-1) advance to the championship game for the third straight year, winning its first title last season after finishing as the runner-up in 2006. BOXSCORE
Plattsburgh will face Manhattanville in Saturday's championship at 7 p.m. Fourth-ranked Elmira (22-6-1) will play in the third-place contest against Wisconsin-Superior at 3 p.m.
Sophomore Stephanie Moberg scored what proved to be the game-winning goal for the Cardinals with 2 minutes and 58 seconds remaining in the second period. Laura Hurd Award winner and First Team All-American Danielle Blanchard assisted on the play. The power play score was Moberg's 14th goal of the season.
Claire O'Connor tacked on a shorthanded empty-net goal with 21 seconds left in the third period to seal the game, with junior Lindsay Brown assisting after blocking an Elmira shot near the left face-off circle. The puck rebounded to O'Connor, who fired in her 10th goal from her defensive blue line.
Danielle Beattie picked up her 20th win, and stopped all 23 shots she faced to earn her eighth shutout. Soaring Eagles net minder Allison Cubberley made 30 saves in the loss, dropping her record to 15-4-1 on the year. She was pulled with 21 seconds remaining in favor of an extra-attacker, but Elmira couldn’t get the equalizer to force overtime.
In a game in which the teams committed 10 penalties each, goals were hard to come by. Each team had several opportunities, but great saves and blocked shots contributed to a low scoring contest.
Manhattanville Advances on Zimmerman Overtime Goal
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Jessica Zimmerman scored 49 seconds into overtime to lift Manhattanville College into the NCAA championship game with a 4-3 sudden-victory Friday over Wisconsin-Superior at the Stafford Ice Arena. The No. 10-ranked Valiants improve to 24-6 and will make their first Finals appearance since 2003 and third overall. The sixth-ranked Yellowjackets (23-5-1) had their season-long 15-game unbeaten streak snapped after making their first trip to the Frozen Four and second NCAA tournament trip. BOXSCORE
Zimmerman took a feed from Monique Rafferty and beat UWS goalie Rikki Nespor with a high shot over her blocker for her seventh goal of the season. Amanda Nonis led the Valiants with two goals.
After a scoreless first period, both teams scored a goal apiece in the second. Teagan Cassan put UWS on the scoreboard 1-0 with 3 minutes and 29 seconds left, but Alex Blackwell tied it 1-1 just 45 seconds later.
The teams combined for a wild third period that featured two goals apiece and all on the power play. Brianne Mosher's goal at the 15:08 mark in regulation forced the extra session for the Yellowjackets.
The Yellowjackets dominated the offensive flow with a 37-19 shots on goal advantage, including 18-5 in the final period.
Karine Turmel made 34 saves in the Manhattanville goal while Nespor finished with 15.
Mar. 20, 2008
Blanchard Given Hurd Award, Devereux also Earns First-Team All-America
GLOUCESTER, Mass. - Plattsburgh State junior center Danielle Blanchard has been named the winner of the 2008 Laura Hurd Award by the American Hockey Coaches' Association as the top NCAA Division III women's hockey player, AHCA Executive Director Joe Bertagna announced in a release presented at the Division III Women's Hockey Championship Banquet. Teammate Julie Devereux joined her on the first-team All-America ballot.
Blanchard (Newmarket, Ontario) has earned All-America accolades three times, including first team the past two seasons. This season, she led the nation for most of the year with a team-leading 27 goals and 46 points. With six game-winning goals, she has tied Elizabeth Gibson's school career record of 17.
"Danielle's skill level is unquestionable, but what separates her from most is her work ethic and competitiveness. She has no ego and seems humble toward any recognition she receives, putting her teammates ahead of herself," said Cardinals coach Kevin Houle. "Her teammates respect and look up to her. "
A senior defenseman from Lombard, Ill., Devereux posted 17 points--all assists--en route to her second All-America citation of her career. Among Cardinal blueliners, she ranks first all-time with 66 assists and third with 76 points.
Mar. 17, 2008
Defending National Champions get At-Large Berth
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -
The NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Selection Committee Monday announced the seven-team field for the seventh annual national tournament. Click here for NCAA tournament bracket
Top-ranked and defending national champion Plattsburgh State (23-3-1 overall, 14-1-1 ECAC-West/1st Place) will host for the third straight year the semifinals and championship game of the NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Tournament at Stafford Ice Arena on March 21-22. The Cardinals will play Elmira at 7 p.m. Friday in the second National Semifinal. All-session tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students with school ID, and a day pass is $12 for adults and $6 for students with school ID.
These tickets are on sale now at the Angell College Center Information Desk from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ACC Information Desk accepts payment by cash, check and major credit cards. Sorry, no phone orders available. For more information, call 518-564-2121.
Mar. 9, 2008
Elmira Foils Plattsburgh Three-Peat
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The top-ranked Plattsburgh State women's hockey team was defeated by No.7 Elmira College, 1-0, in the 2008 Eastern College Athletic Conference West-Division Championship at Stafford Ice Arena on Sunday. Elmira (21-5-1) received an automatic berth to the 2008 NCAA Division III women's hockey tournament, while the Cardinals (23-3-1) will await the decision of the NCAA Selection Committee if they earned an at-large bid to the seven-team tournament and the opportunity to defend their national championship. BOXSCORE
The loss snaps the Cardinals' nine-game unbeaten streak against the Soaring Eagles, which dates to the 2005 NCAA Semifinals.
Melanie Henshaw scored the only goal of the game just nine seconds into the third period. The goal was Henshaw's 14th of the season, she was assisted by all-tournament team forward Jenna McCall. McCall had three points in the semifinal and finals games. Tournament Most Outstanding Player Allison Cubberley (14-3-1) stopped 34 shots for her sixth shutout of the season. Cubberley made 56 saves and allowed only two goals on the weekend.
Plattsburgh netminder Danielle Beattie (19-3-1) made 25 saves in the loss. Beattie, Danielle Blanchard, Claire O'Connor and Sharis Smith, and Elmira forward Jamie Kivi rounded out the all-tournament team representatives.
The loss snaps Plattsburgh's 10-game overall unbeaten streak and this afternoon is the first time the Cardinals have ever endured a shutout at home.
Mar. 8, 2008
Plattsburgh, Elmira to Tangle in ECAC-West Finals
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
The top-ranked Plattsburgh State women's hockey team defeated No. 9 Utica College, 3-2, in the semifinals of the 2008 Eastern College Athletic Conference West-Division Tournament, at Stafford Ice Arena on Saturday afternoon. BOXSCORE
Plattsburgh (23-2-1) trailed 2-1 going into the third period, but goals from Danielle Blanchard and Claire O'Connor gave the Cardinals the victory, advancing them to the conference finals for the seventh straight year on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. against Elmira. Plattsburgh has won the championship the last two years.
Laurie Bowler put Plattsburgh on the scoreboard first with her 19th goal just 1 minute and 34 seconds into the game. Sharis Smith and Lindsay Brown assisted on the power play score.
Midway through the second period Darcy Hier tied the game for the Pioneers (18-9) with her sixth goal of the season; she was assisted Jodie Galluzzi. Galluzzi picked up Utica's go-ahead-goal four minutes later, as she picked up a loose puck behind the Plattsburgh net.
Blanchard tied the game, 2-2, at the 3:15 mark in the third period with her 27th goal of the season. Shay Bywater and Stephanie Moberg assisted on the goal. O'Connor scored the game-winner four minutes later after Smith's long shot was knocked down in front of the net. O'Connor picked up the loose puck and shot it past Utica netminder Kelley Peers, for her ninth goal of the season.
Peers made 30 saves for the Pioneers, including 15 in the third period, when the Cardinals out shot Utica 17-1. Danielle Beattie stopped 15 shots for her 19th win of the season, a mark that places third on the school's all-time single season wins list.
In Saturday's other semifinal contest, No. 7 Elmira came back from a two-goal deficit to beat fifth-ranked Rochester Tech, 6-2. The Soaring Eagles and Plattsburgh will have faced each other in the conference tournament finals in six of the last seven years. BOXSCORE
The Soaring Eagles (20-5-1) scored six unanswered goals after the Tigers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Jenna McCall had a goal and an assist; she was one of 11 Elmira skaters with at least one point. Karen Colehour scored the game-winner 14:51 into the second period; Catherine Shears picked up an assist on the goal. The Soaring Eagles converted two of five man-advantage opportunities.
Allison Cubberley made 22 saves en route to her 13th victory of the year, while Rochester Tech (19-7-0) net minder Sandra Grant stopped 17 shots.
Mar. 5, 2008
Athletic Dept. Announces Postseason Ticket Procedures
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State Athletics Department has announced that postseason tickets are on sale now for Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division Tournament in women's hockey.
Fans are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at the on-campus Angell College Center Information Desk. Any remaining tickets will also be sold at the door. The cost for the SUNYAC men's hockey tournament is $5 for adults, $3 for children under 18 and $2 for SUNYAC students; the SUNYAC men's basketball tournament is $5 for adults, $3 for children under 18 and $2 for SUNYAC students; the ECAC-West women's hockey semifinals is $10 for adults and $6 for students under 18 (priced for a two-game day session) and finals is $5 for adults and $3 for students under 18. The first 200 SUNY Plattsburgh students with proper college identification will be allotted free tickets for all three events, but tickets must be picked up by noon Friday at the ACC.
The top-ranked Cardinals women's hockey squad (22-2-1 overall, 14-1-1 ECAC-W) will receive a bye to the ECAC-West Quarterfinals and host the conference tournament semifinals and finals on March 8-9 at Stafford Ice Arena. Plattsburgh has won (or shared) the last five league regular-season titles and earned the right to be the No. 1 seed for the conference championship each year since 2006. Saturday's semifinal games will be at 3:30 (Plattsburgh vs. Utica) and 7 p.m. (Elmira vs. Rochester Tech), and Sunday's championship is scheduled for 3 p.m. (Saturday's semifinal winners). The ECAC-West champion gets the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Feb. 23, 2008
Top-Ranked Cardinals Shut Out Bowdoin on Senior Day
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Danielle Blanchard scored her nation-leading 26th goal of the season and assisted on two others, and Danielle Beattie made 19 saves for her seventh career shutout, as No. 1 Plattsburgh State blanked non-conference foe Bowdoin 5-0 Saturday to wrap up its women's hockey regular-season schedule. The Cardinals will bring a 22-2-1 record into the postseason when they host the Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division Championship Tournament on March 8-9 at Stafford Ice Arena. The visiting Polar Bears end their season at 5-11-6. BOXSCORE
Plattsburgh took control of the game with a 3-0 first-period lead, outshooting Bowdoin 10-1 after 20 minutes. Shay Bywater opened the scoring 4 minutes and 24 seconds in with her 12th goal, extending her career high. Freshman defenseman Kristen Bond scored her first collegiate goal to make it 2-0 and Blanchard added a short-hander, unassisted, at the 13:46 mark.
After the teams played a scoreless second period, Stephanie Moberg and Claire O'Connor added goals for Plattsburgh in the third period.
For the 'Bears, Samantha Schwager and Emileigh Mercer shared goaltending duties with 14 and 10 saves, respectively. Jill Campbell had four shots.
Both Bywater and Moberg also had assists to finish with two points each on the afternoon.
Before the game, Elise Campbell (2 shots), co-captain Julie Devereux (1 assist), Sarah Samson (4 shots) and Sharis Smith (+1 rating) were honored on Senior Day to mark their regular-season finale in a red and white uniform.
Feb. 20, 2008
Blanchard Tapped for ECAC-West Weekly Honor
CENTERVILLE, Mass. - The Eastern College Athletic Conference has named Plattsburgh State women's hockey player Danielle Blanchard the West Division Player of the Week, for the period ending Sunday.
The junior forward from Newmarket, Ontario (Aurora Panthers) led the Cardinals with four goals as the team scored nine in a 2-0-1 week against opponents ranked in the top 10 nationally. Blanchard also had 20 shots on goal and a plus-2 rating. She was credited with the game-winning goal against Middlebury (3-0), the 17th of her career to tie a school record, and her second goal of the game against Elmira on Sunday put Plattsburgh up 3-2 at the time.
She leads the nation with 25 goals, a career high, and 42 points.
Feb. 17, 2008
Plattsburgh will Host ECAC-West Championship Tournament
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
The No. 2-ranked Plattsburgh State women's hockey team defeated visiting Elmira, 4-3, on Sunday to claim a share of its fifth consecutive Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division regular-season title--including the last three outright. Freshman Megan DiJulio (pictured) netted the game-winning goal with 5 minutes and 28 seconds remaining. The win extends Plattsburgh's unbeaten streak against the seventh-ranked Soaring Eagles to nine games (7-0-2) to go up 11-10-3 in the all-time series. BOXSCORE
Plattsburgh will take a 21-2-1 overall record (14-1-1 ECAC-West) into its regular-season finale next Saturday (3 p.m.) at home against Bowdoin.
With the score tied 3-3, Elmira (16-5-1, 10-3-1) successfully killed off a Cardinals 5-on-3 power play for over a minute before DiJulio broke through on a beautiful one-timer from Claire O'Connor. Lindsay Brown also assisted on the play.
This afternoon's game had a similar tone to last night's 2-2 tie to open the weekend series as Elmira jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Tory MacNeil and Karen Colehour scored 3 minutes and 27 seconds apart midway through the first period.
But Danielle Blanchard cut the deficit to 2-1 with the first of her two goals with 5:58 left, knocking home a rebound from Julie Devereux's shot from the top of the crease. Then 3:18 later, Laurie Bowler tied it 2-all with a breakaway for her 18th goal of the season.
Blanchard's second tally of the game and 25th overall (a new career high) gave Plattsburgh its first lead, 3-2, in the second period at the 13:55 mark; Stephanie Moberg and Shay Bywater assisted on the score.
In the third period, Elmira tied the game 3-all on Lauryn DePaul's 11th goal with 5:13 gone.
Danielle Beattie made a career-high 28 saves for Plattsburgh while Elmira netminder Allison Cubberley stopped 39 shots, including a barrage of 18 in the final frame.
The ECAC-West tournament semifinals and finals will be hosted at Plattsburgh's Stafford Ice Arena on March 8-9, with times to be announced. The quarterfinal round begins on March 1.
Feb. 16, 2008
Cardinals Snatch Point out of the Jaws of Defeat
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Danielle Blanchard and Laurie Bowler scored third-period goals to lift No. 2 Plattsburgh State to a 2-2 overtime tie with Elmira on Saturday night at Stafford Ice Arena in a battle of the top two teams in the Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division women's hockey standings. The teams will face off again here tomorrow afternoon (3 p.m.) with a top-seed in the upcoming conference tournament at stake; a Plattsburgh victory or tie would clinch those hosting duties. BOXSCORE
The seventh-ranked Soaring Eagles (16-4-1 overall, 10-2-1 ECAC-West) took a 2-0 lead after two periods. Karen Colehour scored on a short-handed breakaway, unassisted, 9 minutes and 23 seconds into the second frame and Jamie Kivi found the back of the net 3:50 from the start of the third.
Blanchard almost put Plattsburgh (20-2-1, 13-1-1) on the scoreboard early in the third, but a nifty glove save by Allison Cubberley maintained the visitors' two-goal lead at the time. The Elmira netminder finished with 34 saves while Cardinal goalie Danielle Beattie stopped 24 shots.
Plattsburgh, however, finally broke through in the final period as Blanchard found a loose puck in front of the Elmira net for her 23rd goal of the season; she is tied for the nation lead with 40 points. Linemates Shay Bywater and Stephanie Moberg assisted on the play. Bowler forced overtime with a shot from the backside of the net off Cubberley’s back and the puck crossed the goal line, giving eight of her 17 goals while on the power play.
Elmira outshot Plattsburgh 3-1 in the extra session, but neither team scored in the last five minutes of the game to preserve the tie. The Cardinals held a 36-26 shots on goal advantage for the game.
Feb. 12, 2008
Cardinals Blank Panthers on Historic Night
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State women's hockey team knocked off top-ranked Middlebury, 3-0, on Tuesday night in a rematch of the past two NCAA Division III championship games before 1,052 at Stafford Ice Arena--the fourth-largest home crowd in team history. With the loss, the Panthers (16-2-2) had their 17-game unbeaten streak snapped, which was the longest in the nation. BOXSCORE
The No. 2-ranked Cardinals established a number of accomplishments with their sixth win in a row: five consecutive shutouts to tie a school record; first shutout in the 14-game series between the schools; fifth 20-win season in a row (20-2); fifth-straight victory against Middlebury; extended a scoreless string over opponents to 306 minutes and 47 seconds; and pinned first shutout on a Panther team in 137 games.
Danielle Blanchard (pictured) added another milestone when she opened the scoring midway through the game. She was credited with a game-winning goal--her nation-leading 22nd overall of the season--to give her 17 for her career, tying the school record set by Elizabeth Gibson from 2001-05. Julie Devereux assisted on the nifty backhander that came at the 10:41 mark of the second period.
The Cardinals received some insurance tallies by Shay Bywater 7 minutes later and Claire O’Connor in the third period.
Middlebury netminder Lani Wright had 20 saves while Cardinals goalie Danielle Beattie stopped 23 shots for her sixth shutout of the season.
Feb. 11, 2008
Stuff Stafford III on Tap
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
The Plattsburgh State Athletics Department invites the public and media to Stuff Stafford III on Tuesday when the Cardinals women's hockey team hosts regional rival Middlebury College. Opening face-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Stafford Ice Arena, and admission is free.
Join us for "Women's College Hockey at its Best" when the defending NCAA champion Cardinals host the 2006 winning Panthers in a rematch of last season's Division III national championship game.
The Plattsburgh program is attempting to set an attendance goal of 2,000 spectators, which would break the school record of 1,736 set on Feb. 8, 2006 during the inaugural Stuff Stafford event. The all-time NCAA Division III women's hockey attendance record is 2,335 in the 2005 national championship game.
Feb. 9, 2008
Cardinals Extend Scoreless Streak to 246:47 in Win
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The No. 2-ranked Plattsburgh State women's hockey team beat visiting Cortland, 6-0, on Saturday afternoon at Stafford Ice Arena. The victory completed the Cardinals' two-game sweep of their Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference West Division series, following up an 8-0 win the night before. Plattsburgh (19-2 overall, 13-1 ECAC-West) has won five straight and 13 of its last 14 games heading into its showdown with top-ranked Middlebury at 7 p.m. Tuesday for Stuff Stafford III. BOXSCORE
Freshman Kate Fairfield collected two goals and an assist for the second straight game and Stephanie Moberg had a goal and two assists--joining Fairfield with a six-point weekend. Sophomore Amber Ellis tallied a goal and an assist.
The Cardinals' top-two goal-scoring leaders added to their season totals as Danielle Blanchard picked up her 21st to lead the nation and sophomore Laurie Bowler, her 16th.
Goaltender Amanda Hoy made 13 saves to register her second win in as many starts.
The Red Dragons fall to 3-15-3, including 1-10-1 in the conference.
Feb. 8, 2008
Cardinals Smoke Cortland Red Dragons
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The second-ranked Plattsburgh State women's hockey team beat Cortland, 8-0, Friday in an Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division game at Stafford Ice Arena. The host Cardinals recorded their third-straight shutout and have not allowed a goal in the last 186 minutes and 47 seconds, improving to 18-2 overall and 12-1 in the ECAC-West. The Red Dragons dip to 3-14-3, 1-9-1. BOXSCORE
Plattsburgh controlled the entire game, outshooting the Red Dragons 54-3, including the second period in which Cortland was unable to muster a single shot. Six different Cardinals scored, including Danielle Blanchard and Kate Fairfield with two goals apiece. Fairfield also picked up an assist to cap a career-high three-point night.
Freshman Kara Buehler found the back of the net with just 33 seconds remaining in the game--the first of her collegiate career. Shay Bywater picked up three assists and Julie Devereux added two.
Cortland goaltender Olivia Nuzzo made 46 saves in the loss.
Feb. 3, 2008
Cardinals Shut Out Buffalo State Again
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Stephanie Moberg and Claire O'Connor each scored two goals to power No. 2 Plattsburgh State past host Buffalo State in an Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division women's hockey game on Sunday afternoon, the Cardinals' second straight shutout over the Bengals. Plattsburgh improves to 17-2 overall and 11 in the ECAC-West while Buffalo State drops to 5-9-3, 3-9-2. BOXSCORE
Plattsburgh jumped on the scoreboard with three power play goals in the opening period by O'Connor with two and Laurie Bowler had the other. O'Connor also assisted on Bowler's 14th of the season. The Cardinals had a 15-4 shots on goal advantage in the first 20 minutes on their way to 34-11 for the game.
Danielle Blanchard, Sharis Smith and Julie Devereux also had multi-point games for the Cardinals with two assists apiece, and Megan DiJulio finished with a goal and an assist.
Danielle Beattie (14-2), Amanda Hoy and Mandy Mackrell each played a period in goal while making four, four and three saves, respectively, in the team's ninth shutout of the season.
Plattsburgh killed off all seven Buffalo State power play opportunities and scored a short-handed goal off Moberg's stick midway through the second period for a commanding 4-0 lead.
Feb. 2, 2008
Cardinals Blank Bengals on the Road
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The No. 2-ranked Plattsburgh State women's hockey team shut out host Buffalo State 4-0 Saturday in an Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division game. The Cardinals did all their damage in the first period as four different players found the back of the net. Plattsburgh improves to 16-2 overall, including 10-1 in the ECAC-West. The Bengals fall to 5-8-3 and 3-8-2 in the conference. BOXSCORE
Stephanie Moberg opened the scoring just 7 seconds in when she took a feed from Danielle Blanchard, who won the opening faceoff. Kate Fairfield made it 2-0 Plattsburgh just 1 minute and 4 seconds later on a pass from Brittany Meade. Megan DiJulio and Lindsay Brown added insurance goals later in the period as Plattsburgh outshot Buffalo State 19-7 after 20 minutes.
Danielle Beattie (13-2) made 17 saves to earn her fifth career shutout--all coming this season. Plattsburgh held a 43-17 advantage in shots on goal.
Jan. 26, 2008
Cardinals Bounce Back to Double-Up Hamilton
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - After losing for the first time in 25 games at home last Saturday, the Plattsburgh State women's hockey team bounced back today with a 6-3 non-conference win over Hamilton at Stafford Ice Arena. The second-ranked Cardinals improve their record to 15-2-0 overall while Continentals fell to 3-10-2. BOXSCORE
Shay Bywater led the Cardinals with two goals and an assist and both Stephanie Moberg and Danielle Blanchard had a goal and two assists. The trio combined for nine points, including four goals.
Plattsburgh led the Continentals in shots 55-15, but gave up two power play goals, including one of Lauren Tomford's two scores on the afternoon. Meg Shine made 49 saves for Hamilton in the losing effort and Danielle Beattie had 12 stops for the Cardinals.
Blanchard opened the scoring with her nation-leading 18th goal just four minutes into the game, giving Plattsburgh a lead it never relinquished.
Jan. 19, 2008
RIT Tigers End Plattsburgh Home Unbeaten Streaks
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Less than 24 hours after being handed a 5-1 loss, No. 6-ranked Rochester Tech turned the tables on No. 1 Plattsburgh State with a 5-2 Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division women's hockey win Saturday afternoon at Stafford Ice Arena. Amanda Klassen led RIT (10-5, 6-2 ECAC-West) with a hat-trick, netting two power play goals and a shorthanded score that proved to be the game-winner. BOXSCORE
The loss marked the Cardinals' first at home since the 2006 NCAA Division III championship game, going unbeaten in 24 straight games (23-0-1). RIT also snapped Plattsburgh's 43-game (41-0-2) conference home-unbeaten streak, dating to Nov. 10, 2001.
Shay Bywater and Laurie Bowler gave the Cardinals (14-2, 9-1 ECAC-West) a 2-0 lead early in the second period. Goalie Danielle Beattie made 25 saves, and lost for only the second time in 13 starts this season.
Leading 3-2, RIT iced the game with two goals in the final minute of play, including Klassen's third goal with an empty net from her own blue line.
Jan. 18, 2008
Top-Ranked Cardinals Maul No. 6 RIT
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The No. 1-ranked Plattsburgh State women's hockey team defeated new Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division rival Rochester Tech 5-1 on Friday evening at Stafford Ice Arena. The Cardinals improve to 14-1 (9-0 ECAC-West) while the No. 6 Tigers (9-5, 5-2) have now lost five out of their last seven games after starting the season 7-0. BOXSCORE
Plattsburgh's Danielle Blanchard continued her scoring success by picking up her nation-leading 17th goal of the season for a 1-0 lead with 4 minutes left in the first period. The score was also her sixth on the power play, a mark that also leads the nation. Brittany Meade scored what proved to be the game-winner just 1:30 later.
In the second period, Stephanie Moberg connected for her seventh goal on a pass from Blanchard, putting Plattsburgh up 3-0. The assist for Blanchard gives her 58 for her career, moving the junior forward into a tie with Chantelle Rye (2002-06) for fifth place on the all-time list at Plattsburgh State.
Danielle Beattie missed her fifth shutout of the season after Katie Stack put home a loose puck in front of the net for the Tigers' lone goal. Beattie made 20 saves in the contest improving her record to 11-1.
Jan. 15, 2008
Beattie Chosen ECAC-West Goalie of the Week
CENTERVILLE, Mass. - The Eastern College Athletic Conference has selected Plattsburgh State junior Danielle Beattie the goaltender of the week (Jan. 7-13) in ECAC West Division women's hockey, league officials announced on Tuesday. READ ECAC RELEASE
Beattie, of Brooklin, Ontario (Aurora Panthers), stopped 36 of 38 shots for a .947 save percentage in two victories at Utica. She had 18 saves in a 3-0 win Friday to earn her fourth career shutout. She is currently 10-1 with a 1.18 goals-against average and .929 save percentage, leading the ECAC-West in wins and GAA.
Jan. 12, 2008
Cardinals Complete Sweep of Pioneers
UTICA, N.Y. - Stephanie Moberg scored the game-winning goal with 27 seconds remaining, and Laurie Bowler added an empty-net tally almost as time expired, as Plattsburgh State defeated host Utica College 4-2 on Saturday afternoon. The top-ranked Cardinals improve to 13-1 overall, including an 8-0 Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division mark. The Pioneers, who were shut out 3-0 last night by Plattsburgh, fall to 7-6 and 3-2. BOXSCORE
The teams were deadlocked 1-1 going into a wild third period that featured four goals. Freshman Kate Fairfield gave Plattsburgh a 2-1 lead with an unassisted goal at the 4:48 mark, but Michelle Witz tied it 1 minute and 29 seconds later. Shay Bywater and Julie Devereux were credited with the assists on Moberg's sixth goal of the season late in the game.
Both Utica goals came via the power play while Plattsburgh had one in eight opportunities.
Plattsburgh outshot Utica 37 to 20, including 16-9 and 13-7 in the second and third periods.
Cardinal goaltender Danielle Beattie made 18 saves to up her record to 10-1.
Jan. 11, 2008
Cards Start 2008 with a Shutout Victory in Utica
UTICA, N.Y. - Danielle Beattie turned aside all 18 shots she faced, Shay Bywater scored two goals and top-ranked Plattsburgh State began the 2008 calendar year the same way it ended 2007--with a win. The Cardinals improved to 12-1 overall (7-0 ECAC-West) after a 3-0 shutout over host Utica College in Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division women's hockey action. Friday's game marked Plattsburgh's first official game since Dec. 8. BOXSCORE
Bywater got the scoring under way just 3 minutes and 33 seconds into the game, with Stephanie Moberg and Danielle Blanchard assisting on the play. Moberg and Blanchard also were credited with assists on Bywater's second goal of the game, and her seventh on the season, coming at the 13:02 in the second period. With just 42 seconds left in the period, Laurie Bowler added an insurance goal.
The Pioneers, who were led by Lynny Gonzales with four shots, fell to 7-5 (3-1 ECAC-West).
Dec. 11, 2007
Beattie Named ECAC-West Goalie of the Week
CENTERVILLE, Mass. - Danielle Beattie, a junior on the Plattsburgh State women's hockey team, has been selected the Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division Goalie of the Week for the period ending Sunday. The award is her second of the season, receiving identical honors back on Nov. 7. Read ECAC Release
Beattie posted a 2-0 record for the weekend, tallying 21 saves in a 4-1 win over nationally-ranked Amherst College (4th in the country at the time) and 15 saves in a 9-0 shutout over Connecticut College, the third of her career.
Beattie, of Brooklin, Ontario (Aurora Panthers), currently boasts an 8-1 record with a 1.22 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage.
Dec. 8, 2007
Cardinals Break Connecticut College Camels' Backs
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The No. 1-ranked Plattsburgh State (11-1 overall) women's hockey team defeated visiting Connecticut College (3-4-1), 9-0, in a non-conference match-up Saturday night at Stafford Ice Arena. The game was the last one in the calendar year as the Cardinals will enjoy a five-week winter break until their next action on Jan. 11-12 at Utica College; the student-athletes next week will be taking fall semester final exams. BOXSCORE
Laurie Bowler led the Cardinals with two goals, giving her eight on the season. Defenseman Ainsley Brien picked up three assists and led the team with seven shots from the blue line. Helen Giroux scored her first collegiate goal early in the third period, and Danielle Blanchard scored her NCAA Division III-leading 16th goal while picking up two assists.
Plattsburgh controlled the play throughout the game, capitalizing on four of seven power-play opportunities and outshooting the Camels 39-15. Danielle Beattie made 15 saves en route to her third shutout of the season, improving her record to 8-1.
Dec. 7, 2007
Plattsburgh Reigns over Lord Jeffs
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The No. 1-ranked Plattsburgh State women's hockey team defeated No. 4 Amherst, 4-1, at Stafford Ice Arena on Friday night. Kayla McDougall paced the Cardinals with two goals, including the eventual game-winner at the 11:31 mark of the first period. BOXSCORE
Danielle Blanchard was back in the lineup after a two-game absence, picking up where she left off, with her nation-leading 15th goal of the season. The goal came on a semi-breakaway after a long floating pass from freshman Helen Giroux, her first collegiate ice hockey point after being named the State University of New York Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year this past fall women's soccer season.
Amherst's lone goal came from sophomore Molly Malloy, who shot the puck over Plattsburgh goalie Danielle Beattie's glove. Beattie made 21 saves to pick up her seventh win of the season, lowering her goals-against average to 1.38 in the process.
Dec. 5, 2007
Brown Tabbed Player of the Week in the ECAC-West
CENTERVILLE, Mass. - Plattsburgh State women’s hockey player Lindsay Brown was named on Tuesday the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference West Division-III Player of the Week, for the week ending Dec. 2. Click here for ECAC release
Brown, a junior forward from Scarborough, Ontario, led the Cardinals with five points last weekend, as they swept conference opponent Chatham on the road. Brown had a goal and two assists on Saturday as Plattsburgh won 8-0, and contributed two assists in the 3-0 victory on Sunday.
Brown now has six goals and five assists, giving her a total of 11 points on the season. She is tied for seventh in the league in scoring and is tied for first in power play points with seven.
Dec. 4, 2007
Both Cardinal Teams Rule NCAA Hockey Polls
MINNEAPOLIS - For the first time in school history, both Plattsburgh State hockey teams occupy the No. 1 ranking in the U.S. College Hockey Online NCAA Division III polls during the same week. The Cardinal men (11-1 overall) are tied with Elmira at 283 points, but the Soaring Eagles lead 9-8 in first-place votes. The 9-1 women's squad--148 points with 13 first-place votes--has been No. 1 for a school-record 20 consecutive weeks dating to Nov. 20, 2006. Click here for USCHO.com Polls
Dec. 2, 2007
Second Period Carries Plattsburgh in Chatham Sweep
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - No. 1-ranked Plattsburgh State scored three goals in the middle period, and freshman goaltender Amanda Hoy made 10 saves in her collegiate debut, as the Cardinals swept their Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division women's hockey series Sunday afternoon with a 3-0 win at Chatham College. Plattsburgh improves to 9-1 overall and 6-0 in the ECAC-West while the Cougars drop to 0-13 and 0-6 in the conference. BOXSCORE
Kayla McDougall notched her first goal of the season with 6 minutes and 11 seconds gone in the second, taking a feed from Brittany Meade. Then almost 9 minutes later, Claire O'Connor and Laurie Bowler tallied power play goals 1:07 apart to seal the team's third-straight victory. Lindsay Brown contributed two assists and O'Connor added an assist for a two-point game, too.
Sam Hunt made 63 saves to keep the Cougars in the game.
Yesterday, Mandy Mackrell stopped nine shots in an 8-0 Plattsburgh win--marking the first time in school history that freshmen recorded shutouts in back-to-back games.
Dec. 1, 2007
Freshmen Lead Top-Ranked Plattsburgh at Chatham
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Plattsburgh State freshmen class led the top-ranked Cardinals to an 8-0 victory Saturday evening at Chatham College, improving to 8-1 overall and 5-0 in the Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division. The Cougars fall to 0-12 and 0-5 in the ECAC-West. BOXSCORE
Kate Fairfield scored two goals, Megan DiJulio had a goal and assisted on another, Brittany Meade matched DiJulio's day, Steph Moon notched three assists and Mandy Mackrell stopped nine shots to earn her second career shutout.
Plattsburgh registered 52 shots on goal. Brenn Scott made 44 saves for the Cougars, including 16 in the opening period to hold the Cardinals to only a 2-0 lead.
Nov. 28, 2007
Moon Named ECAC-West Rookie of the Week
CENTERVILLE, Mass. - The Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference West Division has named Plattsburgh State freshman forward Steph Moon this week's rookie of the week for women's ice hockey.
Moon scored the game-winning goal against nationally ranked Manhattanville with 7:28 left in the game on Sunday afternoon, a 2-1 Cardinals' victory. The unassisted goal gave top-ranked Plattsburgh a split of the weekend road series in which the No. 8 Valiants ended the NCAA-record 35-game unbeaten streak for the Cardinals on Saturday. For Moon, the goal was the first of her collegiate career.
Nov. 27, 2007
Cardinals Earn Respect after 1-1 Road Trip; Remain No. 1
MINNEAPOLIS - The Plattsburgh State women's hockey team Monday retained its position atop the Division III national rankings by U.S. College Hockey Online after the Cardinals' recent trip to Rye, N.Y. The Cardinals split two tight battles on Saturday and Sunday with the nationally-ranked Manhattanville College Valiants, who moved into a tie with Elmira for the No. 5 position in the latest USCHO poll.
Manhattanville's 4-3 win on Saturday ended the Cardinals 35-game unbeaten streak, a NCAA all-Divisions record, with two late, unanswered third period goals. In the second contest, Plattsburgh edged the Valiants 2-1, improving to 7-1-0 on the year.
Middlebury College (3-1-0), which received four of the 15 first-place votes to Plattsburgh's seven, is second. The Cardinals also gathered more total points in the voting, with a slight edge of 138 to Middlebury's 134.
The USCHO voters, who consist of 14 coaches and one women's hockey writer, seemed to have taken into account the difficult task the Cardinals were presented with this weekend, facing back-to-back away games against another top-10 opponent (Manhattanville was ranked eighth heading into the games).
Nov. 25, 2007
Cardinals Bounce Back at Manhattanville
NYE, N.Y. - A day after losing for the first time in 36 games, No. 1-ranked Plattsburgh State earned a gutsy 2-1 road win Sunday over No. 8 Manhattanville here at the Playland Ice Casino Arena. The Cardinals improve to 7-1 overall while the Valiants drop to 3-2. BOXSCORE
Holly Nonis, who scored three times yesterday to help Manhattanville win 4-3, gave the hosts a 1-0 lead 7 minutes into the game.
But Plattsburgh came from behind on unassisted tallies by Lindsay Brown and Steph Moon in the second and third periods, respectively. It was Moon's first collegiate goal of her career.
Saturday, the Cardinals couldn't get into the flow because of being whistled nine times for 29 penalty minutes. But this afternoon, they stayed out of the penalty box (4-8PIM) and dominated the game with 39 shots on goal while allowing only 10, which is a season low.
Sophia Kokkonis made 37 saves for the Valiants, who are 1-7-3 all-time versus Plattsburgh.
Plattsburgh's Danielle Blanchard had a 12-game point scoring streak, dating to Feb. 24, 2007, snapped. She scored 20 goals and 11 assists during that stretch.
Nov. 24, 2007
Nation's Longest Unbeaten Streak Ends at 35 Games
NYE, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State women's hockey team lost a 4-3 non-conference decision Saturday at No. 8 Manhattanville, snapping the Cardinals' NCAA-record 35-game unbeaten streak. Before this afternoon, top-ranked Plattsburgh's last loss was in the 2006 NCAA Division III championship game on home ice to Middlebury College. Since then, the Cardinals (6-1 this season) won 33 games with two ties without a loss. The Valiants improved to 3-1. BOXSCORE
Danielle Blanchard led the Cardinals' offense with three points, including a short-handed goal that knotted the score 2-all with 5 minutes and 25 seconds left in the second period. Stephanie Moberg added a goal and assisted on another one.
For the Valiants, Amanda Nonis registered a hat-trick including the eventual game-winner late in the third period. Dani Poupart added two assists.
Shay Bywater scored a power play goal to give visiting Plattsburgh a 1-0 lead with 35 seconds remaining in the opening period. The Cardinals dominated the first 20 minutes by getting 15 shots on goal to 4 for the Valiants--who were outshot 26-23 for the game--but had the only goal in the period to show for it.
Danielle Beattie had 19 saves for the Cardinals, and Sophia Kokkonis recorded 23 for the Valiants.
The loss also stopped Plattsburgh's 14-game unbeaten (13-0-1) string on the road, dating to the 2005-06 season, and was its first defeat at the hands of Manhattanville in the 10-game series (1-6-3).
Nov. 24, 2007
Blanchard Repeats as ECAC-West Player of the Week
CENTERVILLE, Mass. - For the second straight week, Plattsburgh State's Danielle Blanchard has been named the Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division Player of the Week, for the period that ended last Sunday. Click here for the ECAC release.
A junior center from Newmarket, Ontario (Aurora Panthers), Blanchard scored all five of her team's goals as the top-ranked Cardinals defeated Williams College (2-0 on Nov. 17) and Middlebury College (3-2 on Nov. 18) at the Panther Classic in Middlebury, Vt. Against the second-ranked Panthers, she scored three times in a 10-minute, 50-second span of the third period to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win. She leads the nation with 13 goals and 17 points in six games.
Nov. 18, 2007
Plattsburgh Storms Back to Edge Middlebury
MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Plattsburgh State overcame a 2-0 third-period deficit to defeat Middlebury College, 3-2, in a matchup of No. 1 vs. No. 2 in NCAA Division III women's hockey action Sunday evening at Kenyon Arena. The top-ranked Cardinals (6-0) extended their NCAA-record unbeaten streak to 35 games behind a natural hat-trick from Danielle Blanchard and some key saves down the stretch by Danielle Beattie. BOXSCORE
The Panthers (1-1 overall) took a 2-0 lead after two periods on goals from Anna McNally and Julia Ireland.
Then in the final period, however, two-time All-American Blanchard took over by scoring three times over a span of 10 minutes and 50 seconds beginning with a power play goal at the 4:16 mark. Stephanie Moberg and Shay Bywater added two assists apiece.
Beattie finished with 15 saves, including several shots by Annmarie Cellino and McNally from the top of the scoring slot after Plattsburgh had taken its first lead 11 minutes later. The win marked her first against Middlebury in her 10-game career.
Nov. 17, 2007
Plattsburgh Sets NCAA Unbeaten Streak Benchmark
MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Plattsburgh State shut out Williams College 2-0 on Saturday afternoon in the opening round of the Panther-Cardinal Classic at Middlebury's Kenyon Arena. With their fifth straight victory to open the season, the top-ranked Cardinals set the NCAA all-Divisions women's ice hockey unbeaten streak record at 34 games, breaking the previous record of 33 straight by Division III Elmira. BOXSCORE
Danielle Blanchard scored both goals for Plattsburgh, which has gone 32-0-2 since its last loss to Middlebury in the 2006 NCAA Division III championship game. Blanchard found the back of the net with 3 minutes and 9 seconds gone in the first period, with Shay Bywater and Stephanie Moberg credited with assists. She gave the Cardinals insurance with a power play goal at the 9:11 mark of the third period, with Amber Ellis and Bywater assisting on the play.
Danielle Beattie (4-0) made 15 saves for her second career shutout.
Denise McCulloch kept the Ephs in the game by stopping 31 of 33 shots, including 17 saves while keeping Plattsburgh off the scoreboard in the second stanza.
Wisconsin holds the Division I record with a 32-game unbeaten streak from Nov. 25, 2006 to Oct. 14, 2007.
Nov. 14, 2007
Weekend Road Hockey Games Available Online
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Plattsburgh State hockey fans can follow the Cardinals' road games this weekend with the No. 4-ranked men playing at Elmira and the No. 1 women traveling to the Middlebury College Tournament.
The men will battle the No. 8 Soaring Eagles at 7 p.m. Saturday and fans can follow the action on their computer via LiveStats: http://resources.elmira.edu/athletics/livestats/xlive.htm . And as always, "Voice of the Cardinals" Ducky Drake will describing the play-by-play on 1340-AM WIRY Hometown Radio in the local area and webcasted at http://www.wiry.com/ (then click on the "listen" button on the jukebox).
The USCHO.com Game of the Week feature returns for Season 4 with all four games in Middlebury shown with live video or audio-only feeds. Veteran college hockey broadcaster Brian Schulz will handle the call. Log on to http://www.uscho.com/women/ to access the links. Plattsburgh will play Williams at 2 p.m. Saturday and then either Elmira or Middlebury at 2 or 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Nov. 13, 2007
Blanchard, Mackrell Net ECAC-West Honors
CENTERVILLE, Mass. - The Eastern College Athletic Conference has tabbed two Plattsburgh State women's hockey players for weekly honors: Danielle Blanchard is the player of the week and Mandy Mackrell is the goaltender of the week in the ECAC-West Division. Click here for the ECAC release.
A junior center from Newmarket, Ontario (Aurora Panthers), Blanchard led the Cardinals' offense last weekend with four goals and three assists for seven points in a two-game sweep at Oswego, 9-1 and 9-0. On Friday, she had three points to become the fifth player in school history to reach 100 for her career. She now has 53 goals and 51 assists for 104 points in 63 career games.
Mackrell, a freshman out of Cleveland, Ohio (Ohio Flames), recorded a 9-0 win to earn a shutout in her collegiate debut on Saturday. She made 13 saves against the Lakers.
In other team news, Plattsburgh this week maintained its No. 1 position in the Minneapolis-based United States College Hockey Online poll for NCAA Division III schools. The Cardinals (4-0 overall, 4-0 ECAC-West) are a unanimous pick for another week, garnering all 15 first-place votes and 150 points. The team has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for the last 16 polls dating to Nov. 20, 2006. Click here for the USCHO.com Top 10
Nov. 10, 2007
NCAA History Made in Weekend Sweep of Oswego
OSWEGO, N.Y. - No. 1 Plattsburgh State completed a two-game sweep at Oswego by routing the Lakers 9-0 on Saturday, which follows up a 9-1 win over the Lakers the previous day. And in the process, the Cardinals tied Elmira's NCAA women's hockey all-Divisions record 33-game unbeaten streak and Kevin Houle became the fastest Division III coach to reach 100 wins (in 122 games). BOXSCORE
Danielle Blanchard and Laurie Bowler each led the way with two goals and two assists for the Cardinals, who are now 4-0 overall and in the Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division.
Freshman goaltender Mandy Mackrell made 13 saves in her collegiate debut.
The Lakers drop to 2-4, including 0-4 in the conference.
Nov. 9, 2007
Cardinals Steamroll Great Lakers on the Road
OSWEGO, N.Y. - Top-ranked Plattsburgh State rolled past host Oswego 9-1 Friday evening in Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division women's hockey action. The Cardinals, who set a school record with their 15th-consecutive win dating to last season, improve to 3-0 overall and in the ECAC-West. The Lakers dip to 2-3, including 0-3 in the conference. BOXSCORE
The first line of the Cardinals was sensational as Stephanie Moberg, Danielle Blanchard and Shay Bywater combined for five goals, five assists and 14 shots on goal. Moberg ended up with two goals and four points, both career highs. Blanchard started the scoring with 6 minutes and 21 seconds gone in the first period, taking a feed from Sharis Smith while Plattsburgh was killing off a penalty. Blanchard leads the team with six goals (already with three short-handed tallies), and became the fifth Cardinal to reach the 100-point milestone. She now has 51 goals and 49 assists in 62 career games.
Plattsburgh built a 6-0 lead in the final period before Oswego scored its only goal by Jessica Lister, her first of the season, on a pass from Erica Shapey.
Plattsburgh outshot Oswego 48 to 13, including a whopping 21-4 margin in the first period. The Cardinals scored three times in all three stanzas.
The Cardinals won 14 straight from Nov. 26, 2005 to Feb. 8, 2006 for the previous benchmark.
Nov. 7, 2007
Coach Houle Taking Part in Four Nations Cup for Team USA
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Plattsburgh State women's coach Kevin Houle was recently interviewed by freelance writer Mike Scandura for a feature that has been posted on the website of USA Hockey. To read the story, please click on the following link: http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=CO_11&id=204006
The feature profile is also expected to appear in an upcoming issue of USA Hockey Magazine .
Coach Houle will miss the top-ranked Cardinals' weekend series at Oswego because he is also an assistant coach with the U.S. National Team that is competing at the Women's Four Nations Cup in Leksand, Sweden, starting today through Sunday. Team USA's schedule is (all times Eastern) Nov. 7 vs. Sweden, 1 p.m.; Nov. 8 vs. Canada, 9:30 a.m.; Nov. 10 vs. Finland, 7 a.m.; Nov. 11 Bronze-medal game, 7 a.m. or Gold-medal game, 11 a.m.
Nov. 7, 2007
Beattie Nets Top Honors from ECAC-West
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Plattsburgh State junior women's hockey player Danielle Beattie is the first recipient of the goaltender of the week award for the 2007-08 Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division season. Commissioner Rudy Keeling made that announcement late Tuesday. Click here for complete ECAC-West release
Beattie, of Brooklin, Ontario (Aurora Panthers) picked up two victories against conference foe Neumann while recording a 1.00 goals-against average and .935 save percentage. She recorded her first career shutout in the Nov. 2 season opener, turning aside all 18 shots she faced in a 3-0 win. Then she had 11 saves in a 7-2 triumph the next day.
In other Plattsburgh women's hockey news, the Cardinals continued their stranglehold on the No. 1 ranking in the U.S. College Hockey Online Division III poll, released this week. They received all 13 first-place votes and a school-record 130 points. Click here for USCHO.com Top 10 poll
Nov. 3, 2007
Blanchard, Brown Net Hat-Tricks in 7-2 Victory
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh State women's hockey team extended its home unbeaten streak to 21 games with a 7-2 win Saturday over Neumann College, completing a weekend sweep of the Knights in Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division action at Stafford Ice Arena. The No. 1-ranked Cardinals haven't lost to a conference opponent on home ice since Nov. 10, 2001--going 38-0-2 in a 40-game span. BOXSCORE
Juniors Danielle Blanchard and Lindsay Brown each recorded their second career hat-trick in the winning effort for the Cardinals (2-0 overall, 2-0 ECAC-West).
Shay Bywater started the scoring for Plattsburgh, finding the back of the net on the power play with less than a minute left in the first period. She also contributed two assists.
Plattsburgh controlled the entire game while jumping out to a 4-0 lead until Neumann (1-3, 0-2) finally got on the board with 14 seconds left in the second period, sliding a loose puck by Carolyn Fauteux past Cardinal goalie Danielle Beattie. Beattie finished with 11 saves, picking up her second win this season.
The Cardinals' success was due to converting 4-of-10 power play opportunities and putting pressure on the Knights with a 48-13 shots on goal margin. The third period was full of action with the teams combining for four goals and 11 penalties.
Plattsburgh looks to continue its 31-game overall unbeaten streak next weekend on November 9-10, playing two conference games at Oswego.
Nov. 2, 2007
Plattsburgh Wins on NCAA Champions Banner Night
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The top-ranked Plattsburgh State women's hockey team extended its unbeaten streak to 30 games on Friday night, winning the 2007-08 season opener 3-0 against Neumann in an Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division game. BOXSCORE
The Cardinals delighted the home crowd in Stafford Ice Arena with a pregame ceremony to raise the 2007 NCAA Division III championship banner, the program's first national title, compiling a 27-0-2 record. The Cardinals also extended their regular season unbeaten streak in ECAC-West play to 31 games.
Plattsburgh scored two goals within 35 seconds of each other early in the first period. The first was by Megan DiJulio, who placed a quick wrist shot to the left of Neumann goalie Teresa White's shoulder. Then Elise Campbell connected on her first goal of the year, exposing White's right side once a gain.
White settled into the game after the two rapid-fire goals, stopping 37 total shots including 17 in the second period. Both teams struggled to settle the puck on the power play, going a combined 0 for 11 on the advantage.
Junior goaltender Danielle Beattie stopped 18 shots for her first career shutout and improving her career record to 4-0. The Cardinals' got their third goal from Danielle Blanchard, as she capitalized on a beautiful pass from Stephanie Moberg on a shorthanded opportunity.
The Cardinals are home again Saturday afternoon against the Knights (1-2, 0-1 ECAC-West), playing at 3 p.m.
Oct. 30, 2007
Defending Champs Ranked #1 in Conference, National Preseason Polls
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The 2007 NCAA women's hockey champion Plattsburgh State Cardinals are a preseason No. 1 in both the USCHO.com NCAA Division III and Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division coaches' polls recently released. Click on the links for USCHO.COM TOP 15 and ECAC-WEST polls.
The Cardinals, who return 16 players off last year's 27-0-2 squad that became the first undefeated women's national champion in NCAA all-Divisions history, garnered all 11 first-place votes and 110 points to earn its first preseason No. 1 national ranking in school history. Plattsburgh defeated three-time NCAA champion Middlebury--which begins the season ranked right behind the Cardinals with 90 points--last March for the program's first national title.
In the ECAC-West, the Cardinals received 80 points, including first-place votes on eight ballots. League newcomer Rochester Institute of Technology was second with 68 points and Elmira took the remaining first-place vote and had 66 points.
Plattsburgh is the two-time defending conference champion and has won the last four regular-season crowns.
The Cardinals begin their NCAA-, ECACW-title defenses this weekend when they host league rival Neumann for a two-game home series at the Stafford Ice Arena. Friday's game will start at 7 p.m. and Saturday's at 3 p.m. The school will have a NCAA banner-raising ceremony prior to the season opener on Friday. A $5 NCAA Champions banner magnet will be given away to the first 100 fans to attend the game. Admission is free.
Oct. 27, 2007
Top-Ranked Cardinals Win in Exhibition
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Sophomore Laurie Bowler scored twice and freshmen Megan DiJulio and Kate Fairfield each added a goal to power the Plattsburgh State women's hockey team to a 5-2 exhibition victory over visiting Cornwall Junior Typhoons at the Stafford Ice Arena. Results from Saturday night's game do not count in the statistical record for the top-ranked Cardinals, who open the season for real at 7 p.m. Friday versus Neumann at home. BOXSCORE
Alley Bero put Cornwall on the scoreboard first with a goal 4 minutes and 27 seconds in, taking a feed from Katie Bero. The Typhoons hung on to a 1-0 lead at the end of the first period despite getting outshot 16 to 7.
But the Cardinals' offense got revved up in the second period when they scored three times, and never looked back. Jennifer Nedow scored a power-play goal to cut the Cornwall deficit to 3-2 going into the third.
Stephanie Moberg also scored for the Cardinals, who had a wide margin in shots on goal 40 to 15. Claire O'Connor contributed two assists.
Plattsburgh used three goaltenders in junior starter Danielle Beattie (7 saves) and freshmen Amanda Hoy (4) and Mandy Mackrell (2).
Oct. 18, 2007
Cardinals Expected to Repeat in the ECAC-West
CAPE COD, Mass. - Eastern College Athletic Conference Commissioner Rudy Keeling announced on Thursday that Plattsburgh State will repeat as West Division women's hockey champions, according to voting by the league's nine head coaches. The Cardinals totaled 80 points and earned eight first-place votes to outdistance league newcomer Rochester Institute of Technology, 68. The Tigers competed in the ECAC East Division last season.
Plattsburgh, the defending NCAA Division III national champion, has captured the last two conference championships and won four straight ECAC-West regular-season titles.
The Cardinals will open the 2007-08 campaign at home against Neumann on Nov. 2-3 (7 p.m. Friday-3 p.m. Saturday).
ECAC West Coaches' Preseason Poll (with place, school, 1st-place votes and points)
1. Plattsburgh State (8), 80
2. RIT, 68
3. Elmira (1), 66
4. Neumann, 52
5. Utica, 45
6. Oswego, 37
7. Buffalo State, 25
8. Cortland, 23
9. Chatham, 9
Aug. 22, 2007
Guide Cover Voted "Best in the Nation"
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
The Plattsburgh State Sports Information Office has received its second "Best in the Nation" plaudit in the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) 2006-07 Publications Contest as the women's ice hockey media guide cover earned first place among NCAA Division III and junior college institutions in the Single-Sport Guide category. Earlier this summer, the
men's soccer guide cover earned similar honors. FULL CoSIDA RESULTS
The Cardinals sports information office of Director Patrick Stewart and Assistant Director Kerry Chapin was recognized during an awards ceremony at the 50th annual CoSIDA Workshop in San Diego last month. The two certificates match the school's best output in four years when men's hockey swept best guide and cover accolades in 2003-04.
The cover concept was created by Stewart and Chris Boire of Boire Design perfected the full-color layout. Stewart has garnered 22 CoSIDA certificates for publications and writing excellence, including 11 Best in the Nation certificates. Chapin earned her second award of her two-year sports information career, and Boire also worked on Plattsburgh's Best Cover citations for 2004 Women's Soccer and 2003-04 Men's Ice Hockey.
Plattsburgh's other national rankings in the 2006-07 CoSIDA publications contest include Women's Hockey book, 4th; Men's Soccer book, 13th; Women's Soccer book, 16th; Women's Basketball book, 23rd; and Men's Basketball book, 27th.
Buffalo State (best cover for both cross country and men's hockey guides) was the only other State University of New York Athletic Conference member to be honored by CoSIDA this season.
June 6, 2007
Houle Tabbed to U.S. National Team Coaching Staff
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -
Plattsburgh State women's hockey coach Kevin Houle, who led the Cardinals to their first NCAA championship in March, has been named an assistant coach to the U.S. Women's National Team for the 2007-08 schedule, USA Hockey director of women's hockey operations Michele Amidon announced on Wednesday. Houle and St. Lawrence University head women's hockey coach Paul Flanagan will be the top aides to U.S. women's head coach Jackie Barto of Ohio State.
Read USA Hockey release by clicking on the link .
Houle will help coach Team USA at the Four Nations Cup in Leksand, Sweden, on Nov. 7-11 and the IIHF World Women's Championship in Harbin, China, on April 4-13. He will also participate in the Aug. 14-20 USA Hockey Women's National Festival and the Dec. 26-Jan. 1 Holiday Camp, both at Lake Placid, N.Y. In addition, he will attend training camps in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Colorado Springs, Colo., prior to the Four Nations Cup and IIHF World Championship, respectively.
Houle, a 1986 Boston College graduate, is a two-time winner of the American Hockey Coaches Association's coach of the year for NCAA Division III women's ice hockey. The winningest coach in the Cardinals' six-year history with a career record of 96-16-6 through four seasons, he has led the program to back-to-back Eastern College Athletic Conference West Division championships and four straight conference regular-season titles. With an .839 percentage, he would be the second-winningest hockey coach in NCAA history, men's or women's, if he met the criteria.
This past season, Houle guided Plattsburgh to an undefeated 27-0-2 record, a NCAA title-game win, 2-1, against three-time defending national champion Middlebury and the No. 1 ranking in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll for the final 13 weeks. The Cardinals are the first-ever undefeated NCAA all-Divisions women's champion and just the fourth in history (1996 Ala.-Huntsville men were the last).
Contact Information
For more information about Women's Ice Hockey at Plattsburgh State, please contact:
Coach Kevin Houle
Phone: (518) 564-4243
E-mail: houlekj@plattsburgh.edu