Plattsburgh State successfully defended its Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Championship title, defeating Manhattanville, 3-2, on the Cardinals’ home ice Saturday.

The game was a test for both teams, with Plattsburgh State scoring first on a power play and Manhattanville answering 61 seconds later with a man-advantage goal of its own. After first-period goals from Danielle Blanchard and Amber Ellis, the Cardinals were up, 3-1.

Before the night was over, Manhattanville goaltender Karine Turmel set a Division III championships game record for saves with 33 -- 17 in the first period alone. But one too many of the 20 pucks slapped her way during the first period found their way into the net.

Manhattanville coach Lauren McAuliffe said facing that deficit so early in the game was a test for her team, especially against top-seeded Plattsburgh State in their home arena.

“It’s a character test. We have that, and showed that ability a lot this season,” she said. “It’s a tough team to score goals against. I don’t think we ever thought that we were out of it, even though we trailed, 3-1, at the end of the first period. It could have been easy to think the game was over, especially in their barn. But I’m proud that we battled back to win the second (period), and even the third, I thought.”

Manhattanville’s Natalie Zitek pulled the Valiants to within a goal in the second period, and the team nearly tied the score late in the third period. The goal was taken off the board, however, as play had already stopped for a Plattsburgh penalty. That penalty put the Cardinals at a 5-3 disadvantage, but they were able to defend their goal.

“I thought we really came out flying, and we wanted to make that statement in the first period. We wanted to hopefully get the lead early on. After Manhattanville didn’t score on a 5-on-3 power play, I thought they played an excellent game,” Plattsburgh State Coach Houle said after the game. “I give them all the credit in the world for coming back. They pushed us to the limit.”

Plattsburgh State’s freshman goaltender Danielle Beattie said that it was great to be a part of the winning team after watching from the sidelines last year.

“I sat last year on the bench, and I wanted to win a championship for myself, so this is an amazing feeling. Pregame rituals help me focus on the game,” she said. “The adrenaline of a big game got me going. I knew what I had to do today, and I’m glad that I was able to contribute.”

Beattie stopped 22 shots in the game.

Named to the all-tournament team were: Danielle Blanchard, Stephanie Moberg, Julie Devereux, Sharis Smith and Beattie from Plattsburgh and Manhattanville’s Amanda Nonis.

Championship game

Plattsburgh State         3          0          0--3

Manhattanville            1          1          0--2

First period: PS – Laurie Bowler (Claire O’Connor, Julie Devereux), 9:59, Danielle Blanchard (Stephanie Moberg), 13:50, Amber Ellis (Kate Fairfield, Brittany Meade), 14:39. M – Amanda Nonis (Sarah Fullerton, Erin Brawley), 11:00.

Penalties: PS – Devereux (hooking), Ainsley Brien (interference), Sarah Samson (checking). M – Alex Blackwell (roughing).

Second period: M – Natalie Zitek (Danielle Nagymarosi, Monique Rafferty), 11:36.

Penalties: PS – Kara Buehler (high sticking), Brien (high sticking). M – Fullerton (interference), Carina von Bredow (cross-checking), Brawley (interference), Dani Poupart (tripping).

Third period: No scoring.

Penalties: PS – Tara Khan (hooking), Buehler (roughting). M – Brawley (checking), Nonis (holding).

Saves: Danielle Beattie (Plattsburgh State) 22. Karine Turmel (Manhattanville) 33.

Semifinals

Plattsburgh State         0          1          1--2

Elmira  0          0          0--0

First period: No scoring.

Penalties: PS – Ainsley Brien (interference). E – Anastasia Steele-Norton (slashing), Steele-Norton (tripping).

Second period: PS – Laurie Bowler (Danielle Blanchard), 17:02.

Penalties: PS – Claire O’Connor (checking), Sharis Smith (hooking), Kara Buehler (tripping), Brien (checking). E – Tiffany Hart (tripping), Hart (hooking), Erika Godwin (holding), Melanie Henshaw (tripping), Hart (checking), Karen Colehour (checking), Amanda Ritzel (checking).

Third period: PS – O’Connor (Lindsay Brown), 19:39.

Penalties: PS – Tara Khan (checking), Kate Fairfield (checking), Bowler (checking), Team (too many players), Blanchard (checking). E – Lyndsay Laxton (interference).

Manhattanville            0          1          2          1--4

Wisc.-Superior            0          1          2          0--3

First period: no scoring

Penalties: WS – Kristi Hakala (cross-checking), Shana Katz (roughing).

Second period: M – Alex Blackwell (Danielle Mazurek), 17:16. WS – Teagan Casssan (Stacy Anderson, Kayla Chilstron).

Penalties: M – Amanda Nonis (checking), Blackwell (tripping). WS – Hakala (tripping).

Third period: M – Nonis (Sarah Fullerton), 2:52, Nonis (Dani Poupart), 12:37. WS – Allie Pullar, 10:06,  Brianne Mosher (Gina Baranzelli) 15:08.

Penalties: M – Brawley (tripping), Fullerton (hooking). WS – Hakala (checking), Brittany Bembeneck (interference), Baranzelli (high sticking).

Overtime: M – Jessica Zimmerman (Monique Rafferty), 0:49.