Scoreless for nearly the first half of the game, SUNY Plattsburgh’s Kylie Klassen scored the eventual game-winning goal at 9:06 of the second period, as the second-seeded Cardinals shut out the Oswego State women’s ice hockey team, 1-0, in the ECAC West Semifinals on Saturday evening at Ritter Arena in Rochester, N.Y.

After being outshot 15-5 in the first period, the Lakers held their own over the course of the final two periods, being outshot only 19-13. The Lakers pulled freshman goaltender Bridget Smith with 31 seconds remaining in the third period for an extra skater, but Oswego State was unable to register a shot on goal. The loss ends the Lakers’ season, finishing 11-14-2 overall.

Power play opportunities were limited, as both teams had two chances each. Neither was able to capitalize with the extra skater. No penalties were called in the third period.

Klassen scored her fourth goal of the season and first against the Lakers near the halfway point of the game. Klassen received a pass from Jenny Kistner and beat Bridget Smith for the game’s only goal. Allison Era received the secondary assist on the game-winning goal.

Smith finished with 33 saves on 34 shots faced in a losing effort for the Lakers. The freshman goaltender finished her first season with a 6-5-1 record, including the team’s first ever playoff victory last Saturday against Neumann University. Smith shined in the playoffs, finishing with 51 saves on 52 shots faced.

The Lakers were unable to solve the Plattsburgh defense all season. Oswego State was shut out all three meetings this year against the Cardinals, while Plattsburgh scored 12 goals in three games. The Cardinals remain as the only team in the ECAC West that the Lakers have not registered at least a tie against in program history.