PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- Junior defender John LoGuirato headed home the tie-breaking goal past a diving goalkeeper in the second half to give the Plattsburgh State men's soccer team a 2-1 victory Saturday over visiting Cortland in State University of New York Athletic Conference action at the Cardinals Field House Complex.

Unbeaten in the last eight meetings (7-0-1) since 2002, Plattsburgh drew even against Cortland to 14-14-3 since 1985. The Cardinals also improved to 8-2-1 overall, including 3-1 in the SUNYAC, while the Red Dragons drop to 2-7-1 and 1-2 in the conference.

The Red Dragons were the first to strike in the 21st minute when Steve Bartkowski kicked a shot past Plattsburgh freshman goalie Andy Heighington. The Cardinals answered with a goal of their own two minutes later when Anis Makaren scored after Red Dragon goalie Steve Axtell failed to control a bouncing ball in front of the net. Makaren's goal, his seventh on the season, makes him the team's leading point-scorer--along with Chris Taylor--at 16 points.

That set the stage for LoGuirato's game-winning goal in the 59th minute when the Cardinals struck again when Taylor, the team captain, sent a corner kick into the box for a wide-open LoGuirato, hitting him in stride. 

A total of six yellow cards, three for each side, were given out by the officials, who called Cortland for 17 fouls and Plattsburgh, 16.

Heighington improved his season record to 8-2 after facing just five shots.  Axtell made four saves while seeing 12 shots. 

The Cardinals have five days off before heading to Oneonta for an Oct. 9 game at 4 p.m.