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March 18, 2008

Beattie shines in goal for Plattsburgh

After 2 years as understudy, Beattie playing starring role

By COURTNEY LEWIS

PLATTSBURGH -- Danielle Beattie didn't hesitate when asked what she has learned about being a starting goaltender at the collegiate level.

"It takes a lot of focus," Beattie said. "Which I did not have before. A lot of hard work and just a lot of mental preparation for big games."

The junior didn't need much focus her first two years at Plattsburgh State -- she played in just five games before taking over the starting job this season. Beattie has earned all-conference recognition and carved her name in the program's record books this season. Now she's trying to backstop the Cardinals to a second straight national title.

Plattsburgh State (23-3-1) hosts Elmira in the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Championship on Friday. Manhattanville and Wisconsin-Superior meet in the first semifinal game at Stafford Ice Arena, and the two winners will play for the title on Saturday.

Beattie is 19-3-1 on the season, putting her third on Plattsburgh State's single-season wins lists. She ranks 10th in Division III with a 1.34 goals against average and is 15th in save percentage (.930). Beattie was named to the All-ECAC West Second Team after the Cardinals finished the regular season in first place.

The Brooklin, Ont. native, has earned seven shutouts this season, which stands second behind Carolyne Roy's 11 in 2001-02. One of those seven shutouts was a 3-0 win against Middlebury, making Beattie the first Plattsburgh State goalie to blank the Panthers in the 14 games between the two rivals. She called that her high point of the season so far.

Senior defenseman Sharis Smith said Beattie started to stand out as a sophomore, and even though she was still a backup, she impressed Smith in practice.

"Ever since then, I've always known Beattie is a phenomenal goalie and just given a chance, she really shines under pressure," Smith said. During the ECAC West Tournament semifinals "the two goals that were scored that brought her a lot of criticism, it was just a fluke. I don't doubt her abilities for a second. I think she's a great goalie."

Smith was referring to Plattsburgh State's March 8 game against Utica, when the Pioneers scored on a weak shot from the blueline and again after a dump-in. Beattie said her most difficult game was against RIT, when she came out to play the puck and, after miscommunication with the defense, it ended up on the stick of an RIT player and then in the net. The game ended in the Cardinals' second loss of the season.

Smith said Beattie has been resilient on the rare occasions she has allowed soft goals.

"It's not easy, because those stick in your head, and it's like, I can't believe that happened,' " Beattie said. "But you have to move on because if that sticks in your head, then it will ruin your concentration in the future. And that's what I hope to do for (this) weekend, just clear my head and be prepared for a better game and better focus."

Beattie has been to two national championship games, but she watched both from the bench as one of Bree Doyle's backups. Beattie is 1-1 in two career postseason games--the Cardinals went on to beat Utica in the conference semis, and Beattie made 25 saves in a 1-0 loss to Elmira in the championship game.

"I feel a little bit of pressure going into this because it is national championship weekend, and I am the last line of defense," Beattie said. "I have a lot of trust in my team, but I have to do what I can to keep us in games and hopefully win it. I don't really get too nervous, but I do feel it a little bit."

Both Smith and coach Kevin Houle said the Cardinals have confidence in their goalie heading into the weekend.

"I think she just needs to be relaxed but focused and not worry about what's happened in the past," Houle said. "She's played very well for us all year long and (had) just a couple of bad moments, but those moments didn't cost us any games (in the conference tournament). She rebounded against Elmira.

"She'll be ready to play, and she'll be focused. And that's the key right there."

E-mail Courtney Lewis at:

clewis@pressrepublican.com

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