Box Score

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Senior F Sophie Leclerc scored a pair of unassisted goals in the last 1 minute, and 37 seconds of regulation to lift No. 10-ranked Norwich University to a 3-2 victory over No. 3-ranked Plattsburgh State University in the NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Championship Quarterfinals Saturday afternoon before a crowd of 601 at Stafford Ice Arena.

The Cadets (19-5-5) advance to their first Frozen Four in the program's brief three-year history, which will be hosted next weekend on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College. The Cardinals (23-3-2) exit in the National Quarterfinals for the second straight season.

Leclerc pounced on a Plattsburgh turnover deep in her offensive zone and wristed a shot over Mandy Mackrell's blocker from the left-hand faceoff circle hash marks to tie the game 2-2. Then, 55 seconds later, she collected a loose puck along the boards and lifted a wrist shot from the other circle for the game winner.

Teal Gove gave Plattsburgh a 2-1 advantage in the third period on an assist by Jordan Caldwell. Caldwell kicked the puck loose out of a scrum behind the Norwich net and Gove snuck the puck past NU junior G Cindy Fortin for her 10th goal of the season.

The Cardinals struck first midway through the first period on an unassisted goal by Shannon Flattery, but Norwich tied it 1-1 less than four minutes later on Brittane Michaud's ninth goal of the year. Freshman F Jacqueline Perez and Leclerc picked up assists on the tally.

Fortin finished with 33 saves for the Cadets, while Mackrell had 28 for the Cardinals.

Plattsburgh pulled Mackrell for the final 40 seconds in favor of an extra attacker, but couldn't get the equalizing goal to force overtime.

Norwich will face No. 2-ranked Elmira College in the national semifinals next Friday, March 19. The Soaring Eagles knocked off No. 5-ranked Trinity College, 2-1, in their quarterfinal game this afternoon.