Cortland defeats Plattsburgh 2-0. (Photo by edlphotography)

Another week of hockey, the NESCAC begins play this week, some exciting games ahead, lot’s to be excited for. 

We just saw a great weekend of D3 hockey on the women’s side, here are the main highlights.

#3 Plattsburgh @ #7 Cortland: Cortland 2-0 

When these two teams play it’s always fun, most recently, we saw the Red Dragons on both the men’s & women’s side win the SUNYAC title over Plattsburgh last season in the North Country. 

Ultimately, Plattsburgh has dominated the record, 55-4-1 (W-L-T) … However, three of the losses have come in the last three matchups between these two. Cortland has finally gotten over the hump and as of late, been able to knock off the Cardinals in three-straight games. 

In this one, Cortland seemed to control most of the game and there was no real ‘fear’ of the Cardinals winning the game, the Red Dragons played a near-perfect game from the looks of it.

The scoring opened at 16:19 of the opening period, Fanny Aneborn put her team up 1-0 which would remain the score until early in the 3rd period. The Cortland lead was doubled at the 4:19 mark when Kayla Persinger put one in the back of the net. 

Both goalies played quite well, Plattsburgh’s Chloe Lewis made 27 saves in the loss, while Molly Goergen made 28 saves in her shutout-victory over the rival Cardinals. 

These two meet again two more times this season, both in Plattsburgh (1/31 & 2/1), then possibly a fourth time in the SUNYAC playoffs.  

#14 Norwich @ #8 Elmira 

This will be the last season where these two play a conference-game-series, Elmira heads to the UCHC and Norwich heads to the Little East next year. These two have played relatively even the past few years and historically, Elmira narrowly leads the series 16-12-5.

Game One (Elmira 3-1) 

The game began with a one shot one goal scenario for the Soaring Eagles as the lights went out in the building quickly after, causing a 45-minute delay. Gaby Matson a brisk 1:36 into the game put Elmira up 1-0. 

Photo via Oliver Kuehberger.

Once the lights were back on, we wouldn’t see a goal until late in the 2nd period, Madison Anderson in the final minute of the period (19:17) tied the game up heading into the final frame. 

Elmira would add two here, the winner coming just over midway through the period (11:28), Erika Goleniak scored, followed up by the icing on the cake at 18:53 by Alayna Toole. Elmira would take game one over their rival. 

Leocadia Clark made 27 saves in the loss, Emily Finach made 20 saves in the victory. 

Game Two: Norwich 3-1 

Norwich would get one back here to even the series. Elmira switched goalies 42:44 into the game, senior Leonie Kuehberger replaced Emily Finach a little into the 3rd period, Finch made 15 saves.

Norwich scored a goal in each period, it started with Anna Lisac scoring the opener, this would come near the end of the period (14:58). Livia Brooks scored a rapid 59 seconds into the middle frame, she’s coming off a terrific freshman season, looking to build off that in her sophomore year.  

The final tally would be added 2:44 into the 3rd, it was Jordan Brady to put it out of reach, and Leocadia Clark pitched the shutout, making 24 saves in the victory.

Morrisville shocks #12 Nazareth 3-2

Morrisville is in their 2nd season with Head Coach John Briggs, the former Cortland Red Dragon. Nazareth is a team that’s won three-straight UCHC titles, but we will see how they fare this season with Utica looking to make their Cortland-like push and break through, trying to defeat Nazareth who’s dominated them historically. 

Back to the Mustangs, Morrisville is coming off a 12-14-0 season, their best since the 2020 season under former HC Melissa Lomanto (now the HC for Utica Women’s hockey). They’re currently a perfect 3-0-0 to start off the 2024 campaign. 

Morrisville swept Stevenson 3-2 & 3-1 last weekend, now they upset Nazareth 3-2 on Saturday. In this one, Morrisville opened on the powerplay, scoring the opening goal was Tilly Couture at 16:21. 

In the 2nd period, Kennedy Kirkby doubled the Mustang lead, scoring at 6:06 into the period. Nazareth would cut the lead in half later in the period at 15:38, then tie the game in the 3rd period at 4:43, both goals were scored by Nazareth’s Abby Flanagan.  

The game-winner would eventually come just over the midway mark of the 3rd period by Allie Davidson, giving her Mustangs their biggest win in quite some time. They’ll face Oswego State (3-0-0) in their home opener this Friday, then drive North to Canton to face the Roos who’re on a three-game skid since upsetting #2 Adrian 1-0 (OT) on opening day.