Russell Sage's Cassidy Weiher (12) with the spike just around the pole for the score. PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — The final match of the Cardinal Classic featured a pair of Empire 8 Conference rivals as the Hartwick Hawks and Russell Sage Gators met in a non-conference showdown at Memorial Hall before a crowd of 250 spectators. Entering the match, Russell Sage was looking to complete an undefeated weekend and secure the tournament championship, while Hartwick sought to finish the event on a winning note. The Gators came out firing in the opening set, jumping out to a commanding 9-1 lead and appearing poised to take early control. Hartwick quickly regrouped and mounted an impressive comeback, erasing the deficit and pulling away late for a 25-23 victory to grab a 1-0 lead in the match. Russell Sage responded in the second set, once again getting off to a strong start. The Hawks battled back and kept the set close throughout, but the Gators held firm in extra points to earn a 26-24 victory and even the match at one set apiece. With the match tied, Hartwick turned in its strongest performance of the afternoon in the third set. The Hawks controlled play from the opening serve and cruised to a 25-18 win, taking a 2-1 lead and moving one set away from victory. The fourth set proved to be another tightly contested affair as Russell Sage refused to go quietly. The Gators pushed Hartwick throughout the set, but the Hawks made the key plays down the stretch and secured a 25-23 victory to close out the match and claim the 3-1 win. Hartwick finished the weekend with a 2-1 record, while Russell Sage also concluded tournament play at 2-1, falling short of its bid for an undefeated weekend and the tournament title. Lucille Walker delivered a dominant performance for the Hawks, pacing the offense with 28 points. Russell Sage was led by Paige Kemmer, who finished with 15 points in the defeat. The victory allowed Hartwick to end the Cardinal Classic on a high note, as the Hawks overcame an early deficit and used strong play over the final three sets to earn a hard-fought victory over their Empire 8 counterpart. Gallery

Hartwick's Lucille Walker (16) and Thylia Keoviengsamay (17) with the double block on Russell Sage's Mia Merino (24) to keep them off the scoreboard. Gallery

Russell Sage's Cassidy Weiher (12) with one of her 21 sets at the net to set up the Gators points. PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — The 2026 Cardinal Classic opened Friday night before a packed crowd at Memorial Hall as the host Plattsburgh State Cardinals welcomed the Russell Sage Gators of the Empire 8 Conference. Despite a pair of spirited late rallies, the Cardinals couldn't overcome early deficits as the Gators earned a 3-0 sweep to begin their season with a victory. Russell Sage came out strong in the opening set, building an early advantage and forcing the Cardinals to play from behind. Plattsburgh State refused to go quietly, however, finishing the set with a six-point run that nearly completed a dramatic comeback. The rally fell just short as the Gators held on for a narrow 25-23 victory and a one-set-to-none advantage. The second set followed a similar pattern. Russell Sage once again established control early, while the Cardinals spent much of the frame battling to close the gap. A late surge brought Plattsburgh State within striking distance, but the Gators remained composed in the closing moments and secured another 25-23 win to move within a set of victory. Facing a straight-set defeat, the Cardinals delivered their strongest start of the night in the third set, jumping out to an early lead and energizing the home crowd. Russell Sage gradually worked its way back into contention before overtaking Plattsburgh State during the latter stages of the set. The Gators closed out the match with a 25-21 victory, completing the sweep. Russell Sage was led by Emily Trama and Paige Kemmer, who each finished with 11.5 points in the winning effort as the Gators improved to 1-0 on the season. Plattsburgh State received balanced scoring from Darby Collyear, Liya Girma, and Brooke Anderson, who each recorded nine points. While the Cardinals dropped to 0-2, they showed resilience by battling back from deficits in each of the opening two sets and challenging the Gators deep into the contest. With the opening day complete, both teams will return to action on Saturday in Day 2 of the Cardinal Classic. Plattsburgh State will take on SUNY Potsdam, while Russell Sage will face Hartwick as tournament play continues. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Iris Mulvey (10) jumps for one of her seven kills on the match as the Cardinals fall at home. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Cynthia Banosky (20) battles for the grounder in the offensive zone with Russell Sage's Alexandra Queeney (12). It would be the season opener for the Plattsburgh State Women's Lacrosse team and they would welcome the Russell Sage Gators at the Fieldhouse Sports Complex. The Cardinals would not be a perfect host though and have a 5-2 lead after the first quarter on goals from Cynthia Barnosky (twice), Fiona Fitzgerald, Erica Dickinson, and Maddy Garcia. In the second quarter, the Cardinals would stay hot with a 4-1 quarter with scores from Caitlin Nash, Abby Guasconi (twice), and Nicole Resnick for the 9-3 lead after the first half. When the Cardinals would return for the second half and third period the offense and defense would be there as they would have a 6-0 quarter thanks to goals from Maddy Garcia, Cynthia Barnosky, Fiona Fitzgerald (twice), McKenzie Francis Chubb, and Erica Dickinson for the 15-3 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals would calm down and have a 3-2 quarter on goals from McKenzie Francis Chubb, Maddy Garcia, and Cynthia Banosky as the Cardinals would get their season started right with an 18-5 win. In the winning effort, Cynthia Banosky would lead the game and get 9 points on the day with 4 goals and 5 assists. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Erica Dickinson (12) with the shot on net as part of a three-goal afternoon for the Cardinals. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Matt Burgio (26) with the shot on the net between defenders for the goal. It would be the last non-conference game of the schedule as the Plattsburgh State Cardinals would host the Russell Sage Gators in Men's Lacrosse action. The game would start off good for the home Cardinals as they would have a 5-2 lead after the first quarter on the strength of goals from Stephen Kane, Kyle Rutland, Andrew Braverman, Zach Gill, and Donald Woods. In the second quarter, the Cardinals offense would come alive with a 7-0 quarter and take a 12-2 lead into the lockerroom on goals from Max Burgio, Donald Woods (second & third), Zach Gill (second & third), and John Eiseman (one & two). When the teams returned for the third quarter the Cardinal's offense would stay hot with a 5-2 quarter and take a 17-4 lead into the final quarter on goals from John Eiserman (third), Cam Morin, Donald Woods (fourth), Matt Trypaluk and Logan Vilardi. In the fourth quarter, the cardinals would let off the gas and have a 4-1 quarter on goals from Logan Jones, Zach Derhak (one & two), and Ryan Weaver as the Cardinals would secure the 21-5 lead. In the winning effort, the Cardinals would combine for 12 saves as they would go to 3-9 on the season. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Logan Vilardi (41) comes in on the breakaway and shoots and scores for his lone goal on the game. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Jordan Kolwaski (26) with the goal right in front of the net as part of a three-goal game. It would be nonleague action that would feature the Plattsburgh State Cardinals and the Russell Sage Gators from the Plattsburgh State Fieldhouse Lacrosse complex. The game would start off good for the Cardinals as they would jump out on the Gators with a 6-0 quarter on goals from Nicole Resnick, Caroline Noia, Emily Caoili, Melanie Winters, and Jordan Kowalski (twice). In the second quarter, the Cardinals would keep the firepower going with a 6-3 quarter on goals from Caitlin Nash, Kate Kennedy (twice), Fiona Fitzgerald, and Caroline Noia (twice) and take the 12-3 lead into the half. When the teams came back for the second half the defenses on both sides would step up as for the half the Cardinals would win 3-2 on goals from Kate Kennedy (third), Jordan Kowalski (third), and Emily Caoili (second) as they secure the 15-5 victory. In the winning effort, the Cardinals would combine to make 8 saves as they go to 2-4 on the season while the Gators fall to 3-5 on the season. Gallery

Russell Sage's Madeline Butta (26) with the save on the high catch with the catcher's mitt as part of an eleven save effort. Gallery