Dominance—that is one way to describe Plattsburgh State’s reign on NCAA Div. III women’s hockey, and that may be putting it lightly. Since 2007, the Cardinals have captured six national championships. That span included four in a row from 2014 to 2017.

The streak finally ended last season after a double-overtime, semifinals loss to Elmira College. Since the Div. III Women’s Hockey Tournament began in 2002, Plattsburgh State has won 35 percent of the national titles. Since 2009, the Cardinals have gone an astounding 225-24-16. The Cardinals are off to a 6-1-0 start this year and head to the Marano Campus Center to take on Oswego State for two games this weekend. Head coach Diane Dillon knows what she is up against.

“It’s a huge challenge for us,” Dillon said. “It’s a great measurement for where we are in our development, both physically and mentally.”

The Lakers enter play this weekend at 5-0-1, but Plattsburgh State represents the first big challenge for this young squad. Almost half of Oswego State’s roster has yet to play Plattsburgh State, but, since 2009, the Cardinals have dominated the Lakers to the tune of a 22-1-1 record.

The lone Lakers win came in 2016 on the road against then-No. 1 Plattsburgh State. It would be the only loss the Cardinals suffered en route to their sixth national title. The tie came last season, 2-2, at the Marano Campus Center, where Dillon recognized the key for her team in those games.

“I think we played sound defense,” Dillon said. “It starts from the net then out, and we’ve had a history of good goaltending. Mariah [Madrigal] stood on her head a couple times for us.”

If the Lakers want to compete with Plattsburgh State this weekend, a lot will be on the shoulders of goaltender Rachael Farmer. Farmer stopped 82 of the 92 Cardinal’s shots she faced last season, with a much different defense in front of her at SUNY Cortland. The Lakers will need to protect the front of the net against a Plattsburgh State team that enters this weekend averaging 4.29 goals per game.

Scoring against the Cardinals may be the toughest issue for the Lakers.

“You have to take whatever is given,” Dillon said. “Plattsburgh doesn’t give up that many good scoring chances, so when you get them, you’ve got to bury them.”

Oswego State has struggled at putting the puck in the net. Before the final period against SUNY Cortland in their last game, the Lakers had only scored two goals in the last nine periods. That will have to change against a Plattsburgh State team led by goaltender Kassi Abbott. Abbott has stopped 136 of the 138 shots she has faced this year, good for a .986 save percentage. The only goals Abbott has allowed this season came against No. 5/6 Adrian College and No. 1/1 Elmira College. Dillon knows the challenge that lies ahead against someone as tough as Abbott.

“You’ve got to get to her,” Dillon said. “Plattsburgh has always done a nice job with defending. If you can get some offensive zone time, things can start to break down, and that’s what we’re really focusing on: puck possession, supporting the puck and keeping it simple.”

If the Lakers want to keep pace with a high-powered Plattsburgh State offense, it will start with the gritty play down inside the Cardinal’s zone.

“We’re not going to have the big ESPN highlight goal most likely,” Dillon said. “We’re more of a grinder team, so we’re working on getting the little things right.”

But how has Plattsburgh State gotten this dominant at the Div. III level?

“They have a history of Div. I transfers. Something that we haven’t been able to take advantage of yet very much,” Dillon said. “People like to have success; they gravitate toward it. You’ve got to give coach [Kevin] Houle all the credit in the world.”

As is the case for every competitive college team, it starts with recruiting.

“When you have that kind of history, it attracts players,” Dillon said. “They want to be a part of that. He’s done an excellent job of recruiting.”

Although it is sure to be a huge test for this young Lakers team, there is no better place to begin learning than at home in the Marano Campus Center this weekend.

“They’re an extremely well-coached team, have a history of success, and we’re going to see what we can do against them in our own building,” Dillon said.

Graphic by Shea McCarthy | The Oswegonian