PSU women's hockey hosts Cortland

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Ashton Hogan (17) and the Plattsburgh State women's hockey team hosts Cortland for two games this weekend starting at 3 p.m. today at Stafford Ice Arena. P-R Photo / Rob Fountain

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February 4, 2012

JOHN CORYER Press-Republican The Press Republican Sat Feb 04, 2012, 02:23 AM EST

PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh State women's hockey team, in recent weeks, has showed it can compete with — and beat — the top teams in Division III.

With No. 2-ranked Norwich University coming to town next Wednesday for a big nonconference showdown, the Cardinals need to stay focused on the task at hand.

Plattsburgh State hosts Cortland State in ECAC West action at 3 p.m. today and Sunday at the Stafford Ice Arena.

"Our goal is to continue to play consistent hockey," Plattsburgh State head coach Kevin Houle said. "And we've done a really good job of that the past three weekends.

"But, we can't afford to get off track. If we continue to play our systems the way we have, everything will take care of itself. We can't, however, overlook anyone. These are four huge points this season."

The No. 6-ranked Cardinals (13-4-2 overall, 11-1-2) are coming off last weekend's ECAC West split at Elmira where Plattsburgh State skated to a 4-1 win on Saturday and then dropped a 2-1 decision Sunday. The loss on Saturday was the Soaring Eagles' first in conference play.

"That's for sure, the girls have confidence," Houle said. "We've seen a lot of good things the past few weeks.

"But, we didn't win our last game and need to get back on track. We played well against a good team. I didn't think we outplayed them and I didn't think they outplayed us. It was a tight game where anything can happen."

The Cardinals need to win their four remaining ECAC West games and get some help in order to host the conference tournament.

It starts this weekend against an opponent that doesn't appear to match up well with Plattsburgh State.

"Even though we're playing well, we can't afford to get complacent," Houle said.

"We have to make things happen and I'll remind the girls of that all week in practice. We need to get the four points over the weekend."

The Red Dragons (4-11-1 overall, 2-9-1 ECAC West) posted their first conference wins of the season last weekend at home over Chatham (2-1, 2-0).

Cortland, which has allowed 69 goals to opponents thus far this season, is struggling offensively with only 22 goals scored in 16 games.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, have played well since the break, with their lone loss during that time being Sunday's setback at Elmira.

Plattsburgh State has 11 players with 10 points or more on the season, led by Teal Gove (11-15-26), Chelsea VanGlahn (11-7-18) and Morgan MacInnis (9-9-18). Sydney Aveson (12-3-1, 1.18 gaa) has been solid in net, especially of late.

Last season, the Cardinals recorded 3-0 and 4-2 wins over the Red Dragons in Cortland.

Plattsburgh State has only six regular season games remaining, including the two conference contests this weekend and two at Utica College the following weekend.

The Cardinals also have two nonconference games left, at home Wednesday against Norwich and then on the road at No. 7-ranked Middlebury College.