MINNEAPOLIS — For the second time in school history, both Plattsburgh State ice hockey teams occupy the No. 1 spot in the NCAA Division III national rankings compiled by USCHO.com.

The women's squad (7-1-1) garnered 12 first-place votes and 142 points to distance themselves from No. 2 Gustavus Adolphus (3, 127) and unseat previous No. 1 Amherst, which lost back-to-back games last weekend.

On the men's side, the 11-0-2 Cardinals strengthened their hold on the top rung with 17 first-place votes and 297 points — their fifth straight week at No. 1.

Winners of the last two NCAA women's championships, the Cardinals had been ranked No. 2 for the last six polls after occupying No. 1 on Oct. 27 and Nov. 3.

Plattsburgh will travel to defending conference champion Elmira for an ECAC-West series this weekend, seeing its first action since Dec. 6.

The men's team hosts No. 12 Norwich at 7 tonight at the Stafford Ice Arena. Both the Cardinals and Cadets are coming off of championships in their own tournaments over the weekend.

On Dec. 3, 2007, Plattsburgh held the No. 1 ranking in men's and women's hockey.

Men's Poll

USCHO.com Division III

Minneapolis/Jan. 5, 2009

Team (votes) Record Pts Last

1 Plattsburgh (17) 11-0-2 297 1

2 Wis.-Superior (2)13-1-1 281 2

3 St. Norbert (1) 12-3-0 250 4

4 Middlebury 7-1-0 233 3

5 Wis.-Stout 9-4-0 205 6

6 St. Scholastica10-3-1 192 7

7 Elmira 8-4-0 170 5

8 Adrian 11-1-1 134 9

9 Hobart 10-4-0 131 8

10 Hamline 9-2-0 114 10

10 Oswego 10-5-1 114 11

12 Norwich 5-2-2 94 12

13 Manhattanville 5-2-1 42 14

14 Geneseo 9-3-1 40 15

15 Bowdoin 6-2-1 30 13

Others Receiving Votes: Wis.-Stevens Point 27, Curry 13, St. Olaf 13, New England College 12, Gustavus Adolphus 4, Nichols 4

The USCHO.com Poll is compiled weekly and consists of 20 voters, including 15 coaches of Division III programs and five men's hockey writers.

Women's Poll

USCHO.com Division III

Minneapolis/Jan. 5, 2009

Team (votes) Rec Pts Last

1 Plattsburgh (12) 7-1-1 142 2

2 Gstvs Adolphus( 3)7-1-1 127 6

3 Middlebury 5-1-2 115 4

4 Amherst 6-2-0 93 1

5 Elmira 8-2-1 86 3

6 RIT 10-1-2 72 5

7 Wis.-River Falls 8-1-1 63 7

8 Wis.-Stevens Pt 5-1-2 41 8

9 St. Thomas 9-2-0 39 NR

10 Wis.-Superior 7-3-1 36 9

Others Receiving Votes: Neumann 5, Trinity 2, Utica 2, Bethel 1, Manhattanville 1

The USCHO.com Poll is compiled weekly and consists of 15 voters, including 14 coaches of Division III programs and one women's hockey writer.