PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- Plattsburgh State captured its first State University of New York Athletic Conference regular-season men's soccer title in four years by virtue of a convincing 5-0 win Saturday over visiting SUNY Potsdam at the Cardinals Field House. The Cardinals, who improve to 12-2-3 overall, also earn the right to receive a first-round bye in the SUNYAC Tournament and host the conference semifinals and championship (Nov. 6-7) because they finished in first place with a 7-1-1 league slate. The Bears end their season at 3-12-1 and 1-8 in the SUNYAC, losing six straight.

After a slow start, Brandon Levine put the Cardinals up 1-0 in the 27th minute by taking a feed from Chris Taylor. The teams went into the halftime break with the same score.

Taylor added a goal of his own in the 59th minute when he struck a neatly placed direct kick into the upper-left corner of the frame from 45 yards out on the right side of the field.

Joe Griffin then made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute and both John Martin and Jarred Antonucci added their first career goals in the 65th and 84th, respectively. Like Taylor, Levine made it a three-point day by getting the secondary assist on Martin's tally.

Back Gurtej Dhillon chipped in two assists.

Freshmen goalkeepers Andy Heighington and Zack Kruizenga combined on the Cardinals' seventh team shutout this season. Potsdam starter Joseph Glackin made four stops. 

The Cardinals also dominated the Bears in shots (20-3) and shots on goal (9-2).