The Mustang Cup & a Top-Ten Rivalry Matchup!

This weekend in D-III Women’s hockey we’ve got a new tournament and a very exciting weekend matchup between SUNYAC rivals #7 Oswego (8-0-1) @ #6 Plattsburgh (8-2-1). 

As for the tournament, fans should look forward to the Mustang Cup which is hosted by SUNY Morrisville, the first ever home tournament for the program.

Mustang Cup

This weekend, SUNY Morrisville (6-4-0) is hosting the new Mustang Cup, held at the SUNY Morrisville IcePlex – Morrisville, NY. 

The other competitors who’re looking to walk away with a pair of wins this weekend and some hardware is #15 Elmira (8-4-1), #14 Nazareth (7-4-0) & Western New England (7-4-0). The games are this Friday & Saturday under the following schedule; 

Friday – January 10th, 2025

#14 Nazareth vs #15 Elmira – 2pm ET

Western New England @ Morrisville – 6pm ET

Saturday – January 11, 2025

3rd place game – 12pm / 3pm ET

Championship – 12pm / 3pm ET

For Morrisville, as mentioned, this is their first ever home tournament in program history so they’ll be looking to turn around their home-ice woes as they’re 1-3 at the IcePlex. Earlier in the year, they defeated a ranked Nazareth squad on the road 3-2. 

Just after making their first ever NCAA tournament last season, Western New England is looking to continue that streak by hopefully picking up wins against the Mustangs and the winner of Nazareth / Elmira. The Golden Bears are looking for their stellar goaltending to continue this year. As a team, they’ve let up a mere 13 goals in 11 games and have 5 shutouts. 

Elmira’s season this year has been up and down. They’ve lost to some weaker teams, but also beat some great teams. They’re currently riding a two game win streak with hopes to extend that to four. Earlier in the year, the Soaring Eagles lost to Nazareth in a pre-season matchup between the two 4-1. Additionally, who will be protecting this net this weekend will be up in the air until they take the ice. So far, their goalies have been pretty evenly-played, Sr. Leonie Kuehberger (6 starts), Sr. Emily Finach (4 starts), & Fr. Sara Sevcikova (3 starts). 

Now, as for Nazareth, they split the season series earlier this year with their UCHC-rival Utica as the Pioneers defeated Nazareth’s for the first time in a long time (2019 was their most recent victory vs Naz). 

All year long Nazareth has been looking to Sophomore defenseman Allie Zack to carry a lot on her back, she’s tied for the lead in team goals & assists, solo leader in points. Look for her to be a head turner when she’s on the ice. To add on, Nazareth this year in order to make the NCAA tournament will likely need an auto-bid from the UCHC due the NPI, but that’s TBD as there’s plenty of hockey left. A pair of non-conference wins to improve to 9-4-0 wouldn’t hurt, as their league play resumes Jan 24th.

Series of the Weekend – #7 Oswego @ #6 Plattsburgh

The premier matchup this week features #7 Oswego (8-0-1) visiting #6 Plattsburgh (8-2-1). They play both Friday & Saturday at 4PM and 6PM respectively. Both of these teams come in ranked highly in the NPI rankings, with Oswego being ranked #2 and Plattsburgh being number #5. 

One thing that can be brought up to deter the Lakers great season is their SOS, they’re ranked 21st and Plattsburgh’s is 5th. Historically, Plattsburgh dominates the series coming in with a record of 47-2-2 against the Lakers. The last time Oswego came away victorious was last year, but before that, 2016, the two lone wins of this longtime series.  

Oswego State

This season, Oswego State is off to their best start in program history as the Lakers do not have any losses on the card yet. Their only blemish came from a 2-2 tie with Plattsburgh, Oswego winning in a shootout, but the shootout is not utilized by the SUNYAC for standings-purposes, so it makes no difference other than pride. 

Just recently, Oswego beat Hamilton on the road 2-0, the Continentals have reached the NCAA tournament the past two seasons. All year long, the Lakers have been riding on the back of senior goaltender Lexi Levy who’s been playing phenomenal. She was just named SUNYAC goaltender of the week and has started all year long, while boasting an outstanding .962 SV% and a .99 GAA. 

One thing that benefits the Lakers in this matchup is the experience. Oswego has a total of nine seniors and three fifth years, which should help immensely even though historically the Lakers have struggled with the Cardinals.

SUNY Plattsburgh

Now as for Plattsburgh, they’re currently riding a three-game winning streak. Two of those wins came during the Norwich East-West Hockey Classic. In that tournament, they notched a win against #11 (at the time) Nazareth. In their last three games, the Cardinals have outscored opponents 11-3, including one shutout. 

The Cardinals are looking to continue their good SUNYAC conference play as they are 4-1-1 which includes their tie against Oswego. Additionally, they’re 4-1 at home, so odds are in their favor. Their only losses this year have came at the hands of a top-three Middlebury squad and #10 Cortland. 

Against ranked teams, they’re 2-2, look for sophomore goaltender Chloe Lewis to start in net, as she’s started all 11 games this season. In those 11 starts, she has three shutouts. 

Tessa Morris is a player to look for as she was just named SUNYAC Rookie of the week after scoring the second goal in a 2-0 win against Nazareth. She has three goals on the season and is hoping to increase that total this weekend while helping her team win.

That is the women’s newsletter for the weekend. We look forward to watching the Mustang Cup and the best series this weekend between Plattsburgh and Oswego. Both begin on Friday and will conclude Saturday afternoon.