Cardinals honor seniors as season ends

BY MIKAI BRUCE Staff Writer

This past Saturday was an emotional one for some of the basketball players at SUNY Plattsburgh. It was senior night, marking the end of a four-year journey as a collegiate basketball player for six students on the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Sheriff Conteh, Myles Jones, Erik Salo, Mya Smith, Kara Oatman and Misa Dowdell played in their final games at Plattsburgh. All players were honored before their games began and received an ovation from the attendees at Memorial Hall.

Both teams played against SUNY Oneonta Feb. 18 and the women’s team had their game first. Sitting at a record of 8-16 going into this game, the Cardinals were already out of the playoff picture, so this game was of

little consequence.

All three seniors started in the Cardinals 51-61 loss against Oneonta. Smith recorded seven points, seven rebounds and one assist to finish her collegiate career.

“Basketball is basically my whole life. It keeps me sane, and having the girls around, it just makes me happy,” Smith said.

Dowdell recorded a career high six rebounds to wrap up her collegiate career.

“It honestly meant everything to me. I worked my whole high school and middle school career just to play college sports, so just being able to make it here and have a great team behind me, especially my senior year was like really good, so, it was fun,” Dowdell said.

Oatman and Smith both echoed similar sentiments. Above all else, they were thankful for their teammates being on this journey with them.

“My time at Plattsburgh was filled with lots of friendship, great moments, getting to know a lot of people on and off the court, and it’s been such a privilege being able to spend the last four years here,” Oatman said.

This was a team filled with a genuine appreciation and love for each other and even in defeat they still were the picture of class and camaraderie.

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The Cardinals women's hockey team gained the most donors with 142 and were awarded the $2,500 top prize. Women's basketball and men's lacrosse also won money.

Giving

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Howard explained the idea for the fundraiser was mainly to get people involved and for the connection between alumni to stay as strong as possible within sports. With the number of sports teams at Plattsburgh, there have been varied success across sports.

For example, men’s basketball had just 12 donors. Women’s volleyball had 20 donors and men’s hockey had 44. There is no direct correlation between on-field results or popularity on campus and donor support. This idea shows

Hockey

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While the loss at home seemed significant, the team isn’t dwelling on it.

“I don’t think it's hanging over our head. It’s something that really kind of stung,” Moffat said. “There’s nothing we can do about that. We just have to make sure that we’re trying to get better every day and peak at the right time.”

The NCAA Division III Tournament hasn’t featured the Cardinals since 2017 and the team’s last SUNYAC Championship victory was the same year. The 2023 Cardinals believe it stands out from years past.

“Everyone on our team here wants to win, and that’s why we’re here and that’s our goal,” Modry said. “We look really strong heading into playoffs and honestly, I don’t see anyone on our team that isn’t going to step up and try and help us win.”

Modry was named to the All-SUNYAC First Team Feb. 23. Defensemen Matt Araujo and Jack Ring and forward Bennett Stockdale were all selected for the Second Team and Shiller got the Rookie Team nod.

WOMEN that any team is capable of great results because the support that Plattsburgh receives all around the board is strong.

The No. 2 women’s team (23-2, NEWHL 17-1) returned to Plattsburgh after shutting out the Buffalo State Bengals (7-18, NEWHL 1-17) twice, winning 5-0 Feb. 17 and 8-0 Feb.

Overall, each sport has found success with this event in regards to donations and fan interaction.

Andrew Krug, who is the track & field head coach, stated that there has been great support within the sport that began at Plattsburgh in the 1960s.

One form of recent support has been the “match donor” challenge where alumni donors put up a price they want to donate and get people of their age group to tag along. With one of the biggest alumni bases across teams, Krug said it is still a goal to get more people involved.

Howard said that “people should be energized for their teams” and that the culture for the event has definitely been set throughout the years. Assistant Director of Athletics Brian Savard said he focuses mainly on participation during this event.

Savard made sure to emphasize that because his position is different from a coach, he has to think outside the box and that solely narrows down on the audience that is being sought after for donations and interaction.

Savard said he tries to seek out family and friends along with faculty and staff for donations so that he does not step on the toes of any

RECREATIONAL & INTRAMURAL

Saturday, Feb. 25: PSU Dance Corps competes at Cortland coach who is most likely more in touch with alumni in their respective sports fields.

Savard has high hopes for the future of the event.

“[Game on for Giving should] focus more on overall participation versus just alumni. It should be spread widely throughout the entire Plattsburgh community for more engagement,” Savard said. “Overall the more giving that is done it will renew love for everyone involved. It is important for everyone to be reminded why they are doing something.”

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Marksmanship club competes at MIT in MAC Conference Championships

Sunday, Feb. 26: Marksmanship club competes at MIT in MAC Conference Championships

Intramural basketball's 5 v 5 season continues at Memorial Hall 1-5 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 27: Intramural basketball's 5 v 5 season continues at Memorial Hall 6-10 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 28: Intramural basketball's 5 v 5 season continues at Memorial Hall 8-9 p.m.

Intramural volleyball hosts a tournament at Memorial Hall 7-10 p.m.

Senior

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The men’s team had been eliminated from the playoff picture so their game was also of little consequence. All three seniors who were getting their send-off had some of their best games of the season. Although they lost 76-86, it was a special game.

Conteh had 18 points, just two points away from his career high. Jones finished with a team-high 24 points and was also a couple points away from his career high. Salo had just six points, but also had 11 rebounds and three blocks.

Conteh dazzled with his potent mid-range shooting, Jones lit it up from long distance and Salo was a force inside.

“As a Cardinal, I just tried to

18. It is the first time this season the Cardinals have shut out opponents in back-to-back games and the second and third times it has shut out the Bengals. Feb. 18’s win was the second time it has scored eight goals and is the largest margin of victory in a game this year.

Forward Julia Masotta scored in both games for a total of three goals and forward Sara Krauseneck scored two with one in each game. Defenseman Sierra Benjamin and forward Ivy Boric notched three assists each in Feb. 18’s game. Krauseneck led the weekend with five points, followed closely by Masotta and Boric with four.

Ashley Davis started in the net Feb. 17 and Lilla Nease got the look Feb. 18. The two combined for a 1.000 save percentage across 30 shots. The Bengals’ shot total paled in comparison to the Cardinals’ 118.

Krauseneck won NEWHL player of the week for her efforts and firstyear forward Emma McLean won NEWHL Rookie of the Week after a two-point weekend.

“I didn’t think we played particularly well on Friday, “ Head Coach Kevin Houle said. “The focus Saturday was to play the way we’re capable of playing: with great intensity and play the game hard from start to finish.”

The pair of wins certify an undefeated 2023 for the Cardinals as the team's last loss came Dec. 2, 2022. Plattsburgh enters the playoffs with a 15-game win streak and its best give it everything. I'm proud of our team, the coaching staff, the effort we gave on the court,” Conteh said. “Hopefully next year the team does what they’re supposed to do."

Even in defeat, Conteh spoke highly of those involved with the team and even offered his support for the team following his departure.

“I loved my experience here. It’s probably been the best school I've been in. You feel a lot of support from the student body. I've loved it. I wish I could’ve spent more time here,” Jones said.

Jones was a transfer student this season and he chose to spend his final collegiate season at Plattsburgh.

“A lot of relationships were made, a lot of good and bad decisions were made. I wouldn’t change it or trade it for the world overall record since joining the NEWHL in 2017.

“I think everyone’s seen our ability to come from behind. We don’t quit,” Krauseneck said. “I think that’s pretty special. We know what we’re capable of. We have some big overtime wins under our belt as well.”

Houle agreed that a precedent of coming back from deficits is important in the playoffs. He said that a goal for postseason play is starting the first period strong.

Plattsburgh is set to face the No. 24 Canton Kangaroos in the first round of the playoffs at home Feb. 25 at 3 p.m., making Saturday the host of back-to-back home playoff games for the men’s and women’s teams. Plattsburgh has faced Canton three times this season already, winning 1-0 Jan. 20, 5-2 Jan. 27 and 4-1 Feb. 11.

Houle credited the Kangaroos for its goaltending ability. Canton’s Sirena Alvarez started all three games against Plattsburgh in the net, posting a 0.922 save percentage across the three games. Houle noted that it is important not to count out the ‘Roos. The Cards have never lost a game against the team in nine total matchups.

Only one Kangaroo, forward Iida Laitinen, has recorded more than one point against the Cardinals this season. Plattsburgh has allowed only three scores to Canton but has netted 10 itself. If the team beats Canton, it would play the winner man,” Salo said, teary-eyed. “I couldn't have asked for three better groups of guys.”

Salo seemed to mean every heartfelt word he spoke about his time at Plattsburgh and his teammates. He truly embodied what it means to be a part of something bigger than yourself, which is a team.

Smith, when asked to describe her Plattsburgh career, said “friendship.” Dowdell said “learning,” Oatman echoed “friendship,” Conteh said “wonderful,” and Jones said “memorable.”

Salo continued and said even when losing, he still had a good time with his teammates. This chapter of their lives is over and it was able to close with nothing but positive thoughts.

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of the simultaneously-played game between the Oswego Lakers (14-101, NEWHL 11-6-1) and the Cortland Red Dragons (19-6, NEWHL 14-4) at home March 4.

The Cardinals have never lost in the NEWHL Tournament, capturing the championship in every season of its existence. Plattsburgh hopes to return to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 11th straight season.

Plattsburgh won the Division III National Championship in 2019 and was set to play in the first round of the quarterfinals with a 26-1 overall record before COVID-19 caused the cancellation of the tournament. After a one-season hiatus, the Cardinals returned to the Final Four in 2022.

A National Championship win would be Houle’s eighth and the second for senior members of the team. Krauseneck, then a first-year player, scored a goal in the 2019 win. A championship to cap off her career has been on her mind, and she has confidence in the defense headed into the tournament.

“I think we’ve stepped [defense] up for sure. We have a young crew back there, so I think confidence is a big thing for them,” Krauseneck said. “We know that everyone back there can do their jobs. That helps us offensively, trusting everyone behind us.”