The Plattsburgh State women’s lacrosse team began the regular season last Wednesday at the Plattsburgh Field House soccer/lacrosse complex against SUNY Canton and came out on top in an overtime thriller, with a score of 13-12.
This marks the second season for the women’s lacrosse program and the second season for head coach Julia Decker. Last season, the Cardinals finished the season with a record of 2-15 overall and 0-9 SUNYAC.
Last season, PSU faced off against SUNY Canton in the first match in program history and fell to a score of 14-4.
Sophomore attacker/midfielder Allie Vangas tallied four points on three goals and one assist, her assist being the game-winning assist, and caused two turnovers. Freshman attacker Katie Kallamni scored three goals in her collegiate debut, including a hat trick, all in the second half. Senior midfielder Kerri Corcoran scored two goals and tallied five draw controls and four ground balls. Junior midfielder Frankie Porcaro also scored two goals, including the game-winning goal in overtime.
Sophomore attacker Emily Caoili had one goal and one assist, as well as freshman midfielder/attacker Lindsay Guzzetta, who tallied an eye-popping six ground balls, four draw controls, and two caused turnovers in her collegiate debut. Freshman attacker/midfielder Kate Kennedy scored one goal in her debut and freshman attacker/defender Deja Richardson tallied one assist and three draw controls. Freshman goalie Sarah Braja made seven saves in her collegiate debut in 42 minutes, while sophomore goalie Alexa Cassidy recorded three saves in 20 minutes.
The Cards were down 12-8 with 9:33 to go in regulation, and PSU fought all the way back to tie the game 12-12 with 1:19 remaining, with two goals coming from Kallamni, and goals from Vangas and Caoili. In the first overtime period in the program’s history, Porcaro scored with 42.9 seconds remaining off a Vangas assist to give PSU the come-from-behind victory.
The Cards were trailing at the end of the first half with a score of 8-5 but then scored seven goals in the second half compared to just four by SUNY Canton. Ball control seemed to be a problem for the Cards due to snowy conditions, going 15-for-25 on clears. PSU outshot Canton 42-27 and had 35 shots on goal compared to just 22 by Canton.
The Cards played their second game of the season Wednesday when they visited Norwich and came out on top with a score of 20-14.
Last year, PSU lost to Norwich by just one point, falling to a score of 11-10.
The Cards came out on top in both halves, scoring 11 goals in the first half compared to eight by Norwich, and outscored Norwich in the second half, 9-6.
Many single-game records were broken in this game.
This game marks the most goals by Plattsburgh in a game, as the team-high last year was 17.
Richardson had a monster game in just her second collegiate game, as she was responsible for six points, which included five goals and one assist. She also had four ground balls, and caused a turnover. Porcaro was excited as she scored five goals for PSU, caused a turnover, and had two draw controls. Caoili was also responsible for a career-high five points, which included two goals and a program-high three assists, besting last year’s team-high two assists.
Kennedy and Guzzetta each had three goals, with Kennedy tallying four ground balls and Guzzetta recording a program-high 12 draw controls, besting last year’s team-high 8 draw controls by Corcoran.
Corcoran, Kallamni, and Vangas were each responsible for one point, with Corcoran tallying five draw controls and two ground balls, Kallamni with two draw controls, and Vangas causing two turnovers and two ground balls. Junior defender Claire Wiley lead the team in caused turnovers with three. Braja played all 60 minutes as goalie and tallied a season-high eight saves.
PSU outshot Norwich 41-29 and also had more 33 shots on goal compared to just 22 by Norwich. Six of the Card’s goals were on 14 free-position shots. PSU also held an advantage over Norwich in grounded balls and draw controls, winning the battle 21-20 and 22-13. There was also a spree during the first half where the Cards scored four goals in just five minutes.
Porcaro, Caoili and Vangas are all picking up where they left off after a strong season having led the Cards in goals and points last season.
Last season, Caoili led the team with 35 points and 25 goals and is already responsible for 7 points. Porcaro scored 31 points, including 28 goals last season, and already has seven points this season, all of which are goals. Vangas finished last season with 20 points, including 15 goals and five assists. She has already five points and caused four turnovers, along with four ground balls.
PSU now rises to 2-0 overall for the first time in program history, and take on the College of Mount Saint Vincent next tomorrow at noon at the Plattsburgh Field House Soccer/Lacrosse Complex.
Email Nate Bryson at cp@cardinalpointsonline.com
