Box Score PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Two second half goals by the Geneseo Blue Knights caused a setback for the Plattsburgh State men’s soccer team as the Cardinals suffered a 2-1 upset Friday afternoon in a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) matchup at the Field House Soccer Complex.
 
The two teams played to a scoreless first half, with the Geneseo (5-8-2, 3-4-1 SUNYAC) defense holding the Cardinal offense to four shots. Despite the solid defensive effort by the Blue Knights, they were unable to capitalize and finished the half with two shots.
 
Geneseo grabbed the momentum early in the second half as Jason Iannone beat Plattsburgh goalkeeper Andy Heighington to give the Blue Knights a 1-0 lead in the 47 minute.
 
The Blue Knights went up by two at the 66:49 mark when Heighington came out to play the ball and Stanley Egbuchulam made a move around him and buried the ball in the open net. Neil Allen picked up the assist on Egbuchulam’s first of the year.
 
The Plattsburgh State (15-2-0, 6-2-0 SUNYAC) offense began to threaten late in the game with a couple good opportunities. The Cardinals were finally able to break through in the 88^th minute when Mike Payne’s free kick made its way to Nick Parrella. Parrella’s header found the back of the net to bring Plattsburgh within one, but that is as close as the Cardinals would get.
 
Much of the game was a physical affair as the two teams combined for 36 fouls and four yellow cards. Geneseo finished the afternoon with 25 fouls and two cards while the Cardinals had 11 and two, respectively.
 
The Cardinals, who average 19.9 shots per game, were held to 12 and drew eight corner kicks. The Blue Knights took five shots and four corners.
 
Heighington’s record drops to 10-2-0 in his return to the lineup. He made one save in the loss. Geneseo goalkeeper Nick Voggel recorded four saves in the win.
 
In other SUNYAC action, Brockport played to a 2-2 tie at Potsdam, giving the Golden Eagles sole possession of first place with a 6-1-1 record and 19 points. Oneonta State improved to 6-2 in SUNYAC play with a 7-0 win against Fredonia. With the loss, Plattsburgh falls to second place, while Oneonta remains in third place.
 
The stage is set for a crucial matchup tomorrow as Plattsburgh wraps up its conference schedule against Brockport. A Plattsburgh win would secure the Cardinals the regular season crown and home field throughout the playoffs.