Box Score  | College Hockey Stats Box Score

Pine Valley, NY -- The Elmira College women's ice hockey team accomplished something no other team has done all season, defeat No. 1 Plattsburgh State.  Cassidy Delainey '15 played the hero tonight, scoring the game-winning goal late in the first period to seal Elmira's first win over Plattsburgh in over two years. Elmira netminder Lisa Marshall '14 made 37 saves as she handed Plattsburgh their first scoreless game of the 2013-14 season. Also, with tonight's win, Elmira moves into sole possession of first place in the ECAC West Conference.

The Cardinals of Plattsburgh entered tonight's game undefeated, boasting the nation's top offense and defense, riding high on an 18-game unbeaten streak.  Maybe more intimidating was that Plattsburgh had outscored their opponents 98-to-4 entering tonight's game, not allowing one multi-goal game all season.

"I think the game plan that we had in store was something to counter their offensive threats, their puck movement, and their ability to make plays" said head coach Dean Jackson '03, whose team shutout Plattsburgh for the first time all season.  "I think our team really did a fantastic job executing our game plan.  Our defensive core did a fantastic job at our blue line, eliminating any zone entries by taking away their time and space at the blue, forcing them to make chips instead of line rushes and that was the difference."

Jackson's game plan worked to perfection in the first period as Plattsburgh did not have any great looks at a goal.  In fact, it was Elmira who would get the better scoring chances, including at the 2:52 mark when Cassidy Delainey '15 redirected a shot in front of the net, forcing Plattsburgh's Sydney Aveson to make a tough save. 

Then with the first period coming to a close, Elmira would make the most of their opportunities when Ashton Hogan '15 fired a shot from the point which would deflect off Aveson's pads.  Although the initial shot was denied, it would be the follow-up attempt off the rebound that would give Elmira their first lead of the game as Delainey punched home the game's opening goal, and eventual game-winner, with just 47 seconds remaining in the first.  Hogan and Gaskin picked up assists on the Elmira goal. 

"Plattsburgh tends to pack it in tight to the net so we knew if we could have any type of space down low that we would want to work the puck high to low and that's exactly what we did" stated Jackson.  "We really believed that's how we were going to score by creating offense from the blue line. They are really tough to infiltrate down low so we figured we were going to win the hockey game scoring goals from the blue line in."

Plattsburgh had a pair of golden opportunities to even things up in the second period, the first coming at the 16:48 mark when there was a scrum in front of the EC net, but Marshall dove on the loose puck after making a pair of saves.  Then, at the 8:15 mark, Plattsburgh caused a turnover in Elmira's defensive zone and fired a shot through traffic but it would carom off the pipe as the Cardinals remained scoreless.

Then, with about 10 seconds remaining in the period, Elmira had a 2-on-1 opportunity as Hogan carried the puck into Plattsburgh's defensive zone.  After a few dekes, Hogan sent a shot from the left side of the ice but Aveson snagged the shot out of the air, making a glove save with seven seconds left in the period.  The second period would come to a close with Elmira holding onto their 1-0 lead.

With a one goal advantage, Elmira looked to hold off Plattsburgh's attack in the third as EC was outshot 14-3.  Time after time, Elmira's defenders came up with huge blocks to deny Plattsburgh of any clean opportunities to score.

"We really did a good job keeping them to the perimeter" raved Jackson. "Of course they are going to have scoring opportunities but we really did a good job limiting those real grade-A scoring in the slot opportunities."

Elmira clung to their 1-0 goal lead for the entire third period, up until when Plattsburgh pulled their goalie with less than a minute to play.  Again, Elmira made the most of a great opportunity when Ashley Ryan '15 dove to the ice, poking a pass to Hogan who would send home an empty-netter, giving Elmira the 2-0 win. 

"I want the ladies to really enjoy tonight's win, I think it's important for them to enjoy it" said Jackson.  "It's quite an accomplishment to beat the number one team in the country. A win like tonight really takes us to a different level in terms of believing in what we are capable of doing.  We have always known that we are a pretty solid program and tonight really changes the mindset for everyone in that locker room. It's just a huge moral victory and we're hoping to ride off it."

Tonight's game was also Elmira's Pink the Rink game where EC wore special pink jerseys and held several fundraising efforts to raises breast cancer awareness.  All money raised tonight is to be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Elmira will look to make it a weekend sweep tomorrow when they host No. 1 Plattsburgh State for another ECAC West battle.  The puck is set to drop at 3:00 p.m. at the Murray Athletic Center in Pine Valley, NY.