NEW PALTZ, N.Y. -- Joe Bogart and Joe Griffin each scored their first goal of the season 1 minute and 10 seconds apart late in the first half to key Plattsburgh State's 3-0 win Saturday over host New Paltz State in State University of New York Athletic Conference men's soccer action at Alumni Field. The Cardinals improve to 9-2-2 overall and 4-1-1 in the SUNYAC, extending their road unbeaten streak to 9-0-1 dating to last season. The Hawks fall to 6-6-1 overall, including 1-5 in the conference.
Although Plattsburgh dominated the scoreboard, 2-0, at the half, it was actually New Paltz that kept the Cardinals on their heels in the early going. Dave Gardiner nearly put the Hawks up 1-0 in the 7th minute when his one-timer off Nick DiPaolo's cross was just wide of the left post. A minute later, Jimmy Altadonna received a through-ball from Tommy Garafola and Altadonna's shot was saved by the Cardinals keeper Andy Heighington. A few minutes later, Gardiner again was stopped by the diving Heighington after a throw-in by Garafola was deflected to Gardiner. On the proceeding corner, Mike Santalesa played a ball into the box and found Gardiner for the header that sailed just over the cross bar.
The Cardinals outshot the Hawks 12-9 for the game, but New Paltz had a 9-5 advantage in the first half. New Paltz kept the pressure on the Plattsburgh defense when Heighington kept the game scoreless with a diving save after Santalesa sent a free kick into the box and found Altadonna for the one-timer in the 22nd minute. Then in the 29th minute, Harrison Lane played a soft touch to Lucas Natel who dribbled down 10 yards and fired a shot just wide of the left post.
In the 35th minute, Plattsburgh struck first off a corner kick by Chris Taylor who found Bogart, who started at back in place of injured All-American Bart Misiak. A minute later, Greg Wiley played a through-ball to Griffin who beat Tom Viscardi left corner and a 2-0 advantage.
Plattsburgh put the game out of reach in the 62nd minute when Taylor found Brandon Levine for the header and his first goal of the season off another corner kick.
Heighington recorded the win by saving all six of his shots faced in the first half for his fourth career shutout--all coming this season. Viscardi recorded the loss in net, saving three shots on the afternoon.
