Cardinals burnt by Red Dragons

By Liam Sample

On a rainy, record setting afternoon, the Plattsburgh State women’s lacrosse team’s recent struggles continued as they fell to the Oneonta Red Dragons by a score of 19-11 in a conference game April 13 at the Field House. Despite the loss, Plattsburgh set  multiple individual program records were set by Plattsburgh. 

The Cardinals have dropped back to back SUNYAC games, moving to 3-6 overall and 1-3 within the conference. On the other hand, the Red Dragons move above .500, being 6-5 overall and 4-1 in conference. 

Plattsburgh sits near the bottom of the SUNYAC standings, with only Fredonia behind them. This game was the season high in goals allowed. 

Oneonta set the tone in the first, scoring six goals in 12 minutes, but the Cards did try to fight back. First year Maddy Garcia struck with 6:53 remaining in the quarter on a free position opportunity for her sixth of the season to make the score 2-1. Garcia has been one of the most productive new players on the team, having nine points in her first nine games.

Plattsburgh attempted to cut into the Red Dragon momentum multiple times throughout the first half. After another scoring run from the away team, a last second goal from junior Lindsay Guzzetta came to conclude the first quarter. The Cardinals got another to begin the second when sophomore Jordan Kowalski scored an unassisted gem to cut the lead in half. 

A three goal lead was not enough for Oneonta, who responded with two straight in just over a minute. Junior Kate Kennedy and Guzzetta would get back to back goals to make the score 8-5 with 8:51 remaining in the quarter. 

On Kennedy’s goal, senior Emily Caoili came up with a crucial and historic assist for the program. This was her 11th of the season, which is the most in a single season by any player to ever play for the program. The record was previously held by her, after she assisted ten in 2019. 

Oneonta did not let this special moment last long, going on to score eight of the next nine goals between the end of the second and the beginning of the third. Caoili got one of her own in the middle of this stretch for her 11th goal of the year.

Now staring down a deficit and having to climb uphill, Caoili attempted to get her team back into it. She scored three straight in less than ten minutes, with two coming at the end of the third and one to start the fourth to make the score 17-9. She finished the game with five goals, a season high, and six total points. Her career goal total is now up to 52, which ties the program record held by Frankie Porcaro. 

Two other records were set in this game, junior Emma McLaughlin broke the record for caused turnovers over her collegiate career with a total of 35. Senior Allie Vangas was the previous holder. The final record was set by Guzzetta, who is the new program leader in ground balls after getting two in this game to bring her career total up to 48. 

Plattsburgh did finish on a positive note by scoring more goals in the fourth than their opponent. While they lost by eight, they led 12-10 in saves. This was due to efforts by sophomore Johanna Malone, who stopped four while giving up 11, and junior Lilla Nease, who made eight stops and allowed the same amount. Oneonta’s Courtney Gallagher stopped nine and gave up the same amount. 

The Cards trailed 40-32 in shots and 31-21 in shots on goal. While this game was historic for the team, they struggled on both sides of the field against a tough opponent. 

Plattsburgh next traveled to Geneseo, where they lost 19-5. They play the Brockport Golden Eagles April 23 at the Field House for senior day at 1p.m. This game is part of a crucial stretch of conference games where the Cardinals have the opportunity to turn around their season. 

With the women’s lacrosse program debuting back in 2018, many of these players and record setters are laying the foundation for the future of the program. These early teams, like this season, will incredibly impactful for the school going forward.