The Cardinal faithful turned out on a beautiful fall afternoon to witness Plattsburgh launch their campaign to capture a fifth consecutive national championship. The Spartans have seen a budding program flounder, have made changes and what better way to see where things are at than taking on the 4 time national champ at home (in an exhibition)?
Plattsburgh opened the scoring with Sheeran in zone accelerating wide on right wing, her shot on net and the rebound collected and deposited in goal by her perennial partner in crime Meneghin. Three minutes later Kilroy evened things for Castleton, collecting a loose puck in the high slot, her open wrist shot was in up to Plattsburgh goalie Abbott's gloveside. Krause potted the gamewinner unassisted, as she skated from the left corner along the boards, curled top of the circle, found space and beat Spartan net minder Willis gloveside. Willis made a nice grab on a drive through traffic from that Goleniak launched from the left point at about 14: I honestly had no assists on the third Plattsburgh goal (credited to Meneghin and Sheeran) as I thought Manning made a grab off a turnover in the high right circle, cutting low and beating Willis up short gloveside. Plattsburgh made it 4-1 with a classic 2x1, Millen in on the left feeding a wide open Meneghin, who closed on net and scored up.
Early in the 2nd Plattsburgh extended the lead. Spartan goalie Willis kicked out a shot from low on her stickside, but Krause controlled the rebound, fed Sheeran in the slot and it became 5-1. The next 9 minutes saw five penalties and a show of some of the rust both squads must wear off. Perhaps Castleton had opened a bit flustered and were inspired when Klam came on (as planned) mid 2nd, perhaps everyone started playing like it was October 21 (hooking, tripping) but in any event the score remained 5-1 (despite the Cardinals peppering Klam in the Spartan net) until 13:38 of the 3rd. Wolejko came on to play goal for Plattsburgh to begin the 3rd and she was tested at 4:50 when Tvergyak exited the penalty box, collected the puck, eluded pursuit and launched a high drive that Wolejko parried with the blocker. Goleniak closed the scoring ripping a low slapshot from left point just inside the blueline, beating Klam gloveside, for the 6-1 final.
Hope you all had a great summer.
Thankful for the opportunity to witness the '17-'18 season unfold!!!
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