PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Kevin Emmerling scored three goals, including two of Plattsburgh first three goals in the game's opening four minutes, and the nationally fourth-ranked Cardinals defeated visiting Cortland, 11-1, in a SUNYAC matchup.

Plattsburgh improved to 19-3-2 overall and is now 12-1-2 in the conference. The Cardinals are tied with Geneseo atop the SUNYAC standings with 26 points each and one game remaining. Cortland dropped to 4-16-3 overall and 3-10-2 in the league. The Red Dragons were eliminated from SUNYAC playoff contention with the loss. Cortland completes the season on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Potsdam.

Emmerling finished with three goals and one assist. Alex Jensen and Alex Brenton each added two goals and an assist, Luke Baleshta had a goal and an assist and Dillan Fox assisted on four goals. Mathieu Cadieux started in goal and made 16 saves over the first two periods. Sam Foley played the third period and stopped all four shots on goal he faced.

Junior Nick Zappia (Manlius/Kingston Voyageurs) scored Cortland's goal 6:58 into the first period to draw the Red Dragons within 3-1. His goal came unassisted on a power play. Senior Mark Balkwill (Saskatoon, SK/Broome Community College) made 38 saves in 45:02 of action. Freshman Michael Staversky (Rochester/Rochester Stars) recorded two saves and allowed three goals over the final 14:58.

Emmerling scored 49 seconds into the game, followed by a Jensen goal at the 1:39 mark and an Emmerling tally 3:11 into the first. Emmerling completed his hat trick 6:22 into the second to put the Cardinals ahead 6-1. Plattsburgh led 7-1 after two periods.


Plattsburgh 11, Cortland 1

Score by periods:
Cortland        1-0-0     1
Plattsburgh     3-4-4     11

Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists)

Cortland: Nick Zappia 1-0
Plattsburgh: Kevin Emmerling 3-1, Alex Jensen 2-1, Alex Brenton 2-1, Luke Baleshta 1-1, Michael Cassidy 1-0, Ryan Farnan 1-0, Kyle Hall 1-0, Dillan Fox 0-4, Connor Gorman 0-2, Michael Radisa 0-1, Brandon Beadow 0-1, Josh Koerner 0-1

Saves: Mark Balkwill (Cortland) 38 saves (8 GA in 45:02), Michael Staversky (Cortland) 2 saves (3 GA in 14:58); Mathieu Cadieux (Plattsburgh) 16 saves (1 GA in 13:14), Sam Foley (Plattsburgh) 4 saves (0 GA in 20:00), Empty Net for 0:03
Shots on Goal: Plattsburgh 51 (12-26-13), Cortland 21 (11-6-4)
Penalties: Plattsburgh 4-8:00, Cortland 2-7:00
Power Play: Plattsburgh 1-3, Cortland 1-4
Records after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 4-16-3, 3-10-2 SUNYAC; Plattsburgh (Cardinals) 19-3-2, 12-1-2 SUNYAC (ranked 4th in Div. III)