PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The nationally second-ranked Plattsburgh women's ice hockey team scored goals in the second and third periods to claim a 2-0 victory versus Cortland Saturday afternoon in the championship game of the NEWHL Tournament at Stafford Arena to earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Div. III playoffs.
Sophomore goalie Molly Goergen (Eden Prairie, MN/Eden Prairie H.S.) made 29 saves for the Red Dragons (20-7). She finished the season with a program-record 1.24 goals-against average and tied the single-season record with a .947 save percentage. Senior Dany Donegan (Cicero/Syracuse Nationals) won 14-of-20 face offs, and graduate student Johna Ezzard (Vienna, VA/Dallas Stars Elite) blocked six shots.
Ciara Wall and Sara Krauseneck scored the goals for the Cardinals (25-2). Taya Balfour, Kendall Wasik, Ivy Boric and Sierra Benjamin each recorded an assist. Goalie Ashley Davis stopped 16 shots in earning the shutout.
Krauseneck, who was named the tournament Most Valuable Player, was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Goergen and junior Jillian Hlasnick (Olean/Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) of Cortland, and Wall, Wasik and Benjamin of Plattsburgh.
After a scoreless first period, Wall scored what proved to be the game winner 2:23 into the second period. Krauseneck added an insurance goal on the power play at 4:02 of the third period. Cortland pulled Goergen for an extra skater with 1:39 remaining and managed two shots on goal but Davis turned both aside to preserve the shutout and the 2-0 victory.
Plattsburgh 2, Cortland 0
Score by periods:
Cortland 0-0-0 0
Plattsburgh 0-1-1 2
Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: no scoring
Plattsburgh: Ciara Wall 1-0, Sara Krauseneck 1-0, Taya Balfour 0-1, Kendall Wasik 0-1, Ivy Boric 0-1, Sierra Benjamin 0-1
Saves: Molly Goergan (Cortland) 29 saves (2 GA in 58:21), Empty Net 1:39; Ashley Davis (Plattsburgh) 16 saves (0 GA in 60:00)
Shots on goal: Plattsburgh 31 (9-17-5), Cortland 16 (4-3-9)
Penalties: Cortland 4-8:00, Plattsburgh 2-4:00
Power Play: Plattsburgh 1-4, Cortland 0-2
Records after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 20-7, Plattsburgh (Cardinals) 25-2 (ranked 2nd in Div. III)