Five different players scored and Camille Leonard made 21 saves as top-ranked Plattsburgh beat Middlebury 5-3 Friday afternoon in the first national semifinal at the Stafford Arena.
The Cardinals (28-1-0), winners of the last two national championships, will look to make it three in a row Saturday night on home ice against the Elmira-Wisconsin-River Falls later Friday night.
Giovanna Senese struck for a goal and two assists for Plattsburgh, while Kayla Meneghin and Muna Fadel each potted a goal with an assist.
Karen Hudson and Bridget Balisy added one goal apiece and Melissa Sheeran contributed three assists.
For Middlebury, which finishes the season 21-5-3, Jessica Young went for two goals and an assist and Elizabeth Wulf scored once with a helper. Maddie Winslow tacked on two assists.
Panthers goaltender Julia Neuburger made 36 saves in suffering the defeat.
Saturday night’s title game kicks off at 7 p.m. EDT.
