Cardinals compete at The Armory

BY NICHOLAS COUSINS Contributor

The Plattsburgh State track and field team got down to business this weekend at the All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Conference Indoor Championships at The Armory track and field facility in New York City. It had been more than a decade since Plattsburgh State made an appearance at The Armory and the team was excited for the challenge.

Four members from each squad represented Plattsburgh in this year's regional event. Aislyn

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McDonough placed 18th in the 800m run with a time of 2:22.31 and four total points, Marissa LeDuc placed 22nd in the Women’s Long Jump with a distance of 4.97 meters and one point, Michaela Schaffer placed 17th in the women’s triple jump with a distance of 10.71 meters and two total points; and Kaitlyn Bjelko placed 12th in the women’s shot put with a distance of 11.80 meters and two total points.

As for the men’s team, Brexton Montville placed 14th in the men’s 60m dash with a final prelim score of 7.07 and four total points, Montville also placed 24th in the men’s 200m dash with a final score 22.62 and four total points, Charles Cypress placed 26th in the men’s 400m dash with a final score of 51.16 with four total points. Noah

Bonesteel placed 14th in the men’s mile run with a final time

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This season, Shiller has recorded a 0.946 save percentage and 1.35 goals against average.

Hearne sits just behind Shiller, with 400 fewer minutes played, with a 0.920 save percentage and 2.20 goals against average. The two have combined for a 20-4 record and Hearne is second in Division III in win percentage, standing with a 0.944 mark. Ultimately, Shiller bore the responsibility in both playoff games.

“We knew we could have played either one of them. When you have that much confidence in your goalies, that you could play either one, it just gives the team that much more confidence,” Moffat said.

The defense-oriented game showed in the box score. Plattsburgh had just 20 shots to Oswego’s 27, a significant change from the Cardinals’ average of over 40 per game. Neither team scored on 14 total minutes of power play, eight different players saw penalty minutes and Plattsburgh fell behind in faceoffs 28-63.

Graduate student and team captain Matt Araujo has been with the team since before Bob Emery was coach. He’s seen the team through its dormant period and in his last year, he gets to bring it back to the top.

of 4:20.52 with one point. Justin Kumrow placed 22nd in the run with a final time of 4:30.79 with two total points.

Head Coach Andrew Krug said he had “mixed feelings” about the event. Although things didn’t go their way with results, Krug said the team understands that experiences such as these at big events is the way that everyone is going to grow and continue to improve.

“You always want things to go great for athletes and wish things went better for ours. it’s hard to put up every week so it’s just great to see everyone progressing and getting more experience through competition,” Krug said.

Montville admitted he could’ve done better but was thankful for the experience of getting to compete in one of the most iconic indoor track and field venues. Krug also pointed out that it was great to see a bigger group be able to represent Plattsburgh this year and hopes the program keeps continuing to grow with new recruits, whether indoor or outdoor.

With the outdoor season ap- proaching in the next couple of weeks, Krug said the time leading up to that is crucial in terms of preparation and focus. With the team showing overall improvements in distance, Krug said the team must continue to build momentum and can’t wait for the different events and warmer weather.

Montville said he cannot wait for outdoors which he says he is more comfortable in. With hopes to make nationals, Montville is looking to defend his title in the 100m run and improve on his second place outing in the 200m run at the NCAA.

Jessica Landman said she is excited as well for outdoors and is excited for the throwing events and long distance running that will be taking place. Indoor was fun, but Plattsburgh is going to continue their season outside. opposite line from Oswego and awards were announced.

Nevertheless, it has been a great year for McDonough and Bjelko. Both were named AllRegion by the USTFCCCA after being ranked first in the Mideast Region. McDonough ranked first in the 800m run and Bjelko ranked first in the shot put.

“I’m glad we could get it done, it’s the first one of my career,” Araujo said. “It took five years, long enough. I’m happy for the guys, real allaround effort from us.”

“I sat [the team] down: ‘Listen, we’ve had our ups and downs, but this here is the team to do it. We have the guys, we have the talent, we have the skill, we have the work ethic,’” Araujo said.

“Here we are, we did it.”

Tretowicz opened the scoring early, putting the puck in the net just 1:45 into the first period. The senior skater stole the puck from a Laker, skated to the left and scored the goal with a backhand shot on the short side in the three hole.

Tretowicz’s goal proved crucial. The next score by either team didn’t come for almost an hour of game time.

“The last few times we’ve been here, they scored the first goal and then they got all the energy,” Tretowicz said. “To score that early in the game and get a lead, I think it kind of settled us in and kind of fired it up, everyone that was here, in the stands and on the bench. I looked over and everyone was on fire, it meant a lot.”

Oswego’s student section participated in a “whiteout,” wearing white shirts. Plattsburgh’s all-red attire stood out against the sea of white behind the near goal. Laker fans went all out — they hate Plattsburgh.

Chants of “we can’t hear you” directed at the lone Cardinal fan section, and “fuck you Plattsburgh” dominated the arena. When a Plattsburgh player was penalized, Oswego fans shouted, “You can’t do that.” When Plattsburgh returned to full strength they’d say, “They still suck.” Fans wore shirts that said “flip the bird” and “puck Flattsburgh.”

The Cards weren’t bothered. The team held its ground, playing strong defensively. It kept the Lakers out of the net despite falling behind in shot attempts.

“It took the whole team. It was a battle of a game. They hemmed us in, we had a lot of good chances. They’re just good defensively and they’re always tough to play against,” Tretowicz said. “It was a great game and an unreal win for us and the program.”

Gallagher sealed the game with just under four minutes remaining. Thomas sent a pass forward to Stockdale and Gallagher, who took off in an odd-man rush. Stockdale, from the right side, hit Gallagher in front of the net. Gallagher then put it between the goaltender’s legs.

“It was a battle of a shift, we were kind of in our own end and the puck got chipped out. I saw Stocky [Stockdale] go in for it,” Gallagher said. “I just busted my butt and got right to the slot and he made a beautiful dish. I was lucky enough to put it in.”

Oswego responded with less than a minute left. Tommy Cahill beat Shiller and the goal horn sounded for the first time all day. It was suddenly anyone’s game. The Lak- ers pulled its goalie with 30 seconds left.

A stoppage of play was called, and it took longer than usual to set a faceoff up. There were 10 seconds left on the clock. It was changed to 11. Oswego won the faceoff, juggled the puck, and got a shot off. Shiller saved it. He was immediately tackled by the entire bench.

The Cardinals have faced the Lakers four times this season, with the championship game evening the season series 2-2. Plattsburgh lost the first two games 1-5 in Oswego and 1-2 at home in the Comfort Inn Complex Winter Classic Championship Game. Having lost only three conference games all season, the Lakers accounting for two of them made for a difficult matchup.

Plattsburgh, then ranked No. 13, won the third game 6-1 over the then No. 6 Oswego in Plattsburgh. The lateJanuary victory may have been the most important all season, as it gave the Cardinals precedent for sinking the Lakers.

“I felt like they honestly had a little bit of pressure considering we beat them last time at our barn,” Gallagher said. “We just stuck with it.”

A pile of red bodies formed over Shiller and gloves, sticks and helmets littered the ice. Players were shouting, embracing each other and sharing congratulations with one another. The players eventually formed an

Plattsburgh got together for a team photo with the trophy and banners. Players took turns hoisting the trophy before the fans and using the banner as a cape. Players hugged, took pictures, shared kind words and celebrated with one another, coaches and fans on the ice for the next few minutes. The tall task of the NCAA Championship stands before them, but for now, they are champions.

“The guys have bought in since day one here. This year, we’ve taken it day by day,” Moffat said. “We’ve had great leadership. Our leadership group has been amazing.”

The Cardinals are slated to face the No. 10 Norwich Cadets (19-6-2) at home March 11 at 7 p.m., its first home NCAA Championship game since 2011, when it hosted Norwich. The Cadets and the Cardinals have a history this year, splitting two games in the span of two weeks earlier this season.

Plattsburgh beat Norwich 3-1 in the FirstLight Shootout Championship at Norwich Nov. 26. The game served as Shiller’s coming out party, winning the FirstLight Shootout Tournament MVP. The Cards then traveled back to Norwich Dec. 6 to different results, losing 1-2. The Cardinals are ranked higher, but there is no clear favorite as they travel back to the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena.

“They’re set. Eli Shiller, Jacob Hearne. They got it on lock down,” Arauj0 said. “These young studs that just came in this year and helped us progress us towards this final and this trophy. Unbelievable man. They have a bright future ahead of them at Plattsburgh.”