PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The inability to close out games came back to sting the Plattsburgh State men's soccer team once again as the Cardinals saw a 2-0 lead evaporate late in the second half before dropping an emotional senior day battle to Brockport by a 3-2 double-overtime score at the Field House Soccer Complex on Saturday.
 
Due to the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) setback, Plattsburgh State will left out of the SUNYAC Championship Tournament. The Cardinals own a record of 8-9-1 and 3-6 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles improve to 9-2-6 and 4-2-3 in SUNYAC play and will be the No. 3 seed for the SUNYAC Championship Tournament.
 
Each of the five goals in the hard-fought war for SUNYAC playoff rights were scored by two players – Plattsburgh State's Alexis Archilla and Brockport's Peter DiLorenzo.
 
Archilla, a sophomore out of Warwick, N.Y., staked the Cardinals to a 1-0 lead Clay Sherman sent a through ball past the Golden Eagles' back line. Archilla tracked it down and sent a soft touch past Casey Sullivan to net his 13^th of the season.
 
The shot was one of just three which were on goal in the opening frame – all of which came from Plattsburgh State players.
 
As the squads engaged in soccer warfare well into the second half, it was clear there were becoming more and more chippy by the minute. Things came to a crest for the first time when Archilla was taken down in the box in the 62^nd minute. The Brockport foul allowed the sophomore to set up for a penalty kick which he buried to push the Plattsburgh State edge to 2-0.
 
With fewer than 18 minutes remaining in regulation, it appeared as though the Cardinals were set up for success, but DiLoranzo had other plans. The high-scoring Golden Eagle netted his 11^th and 12^th goals of the season at 72:42 and 81:02.
 
Brockport's defense clamped down for the rest of the half and didn't allow the Cardinals to attempt another shot.
 
Both teams ratcheted up the intensity a notch or two in the ensuing overtime frames. Plattsburgh State's emotions finally spilled over when Nate Economou was hit with a red card at the 93:54 mark, forcing the Cardinals to play the rest of the way with just 10 men.
 
Each team recorded three shots in the first 10-minute session, with the best scoring chance coming when Brockport's Charlie Cosentino blasted a ball that rang off the Cardinals' crossbar in the 94^th minute.
 
DiLorenzo would complete his hat trick with the game-winner in double-overtime. His shot from the top of the box grazed off the hand of Plattsburgh State keeper Mitchell Jordon (8-9-1) and into the back of the net.
 
Brockport outshot Plattsburgh State 22-12 and Jordon finished with seven saves for the Cardinals. Sullivan made five saves to earn the win in net. David LaPietra collected two assists for the Golden Eagles.
 
Junior Fabian Chaparro led the Cardinals with three shots – all of which were on goal. DiLorenzo totaled six shots, including four on goal, for Brockport. The Golden Eagles finished with a 5-2 edge in corner kicks. The Plattsburgh State senior class which featured the likes of Matt Bonomini, Nick Parrella, Wade Goehle and Sean Murphy was also honored in a brief ceremony prior to the start of the game.
 
The Cardinals will set foot on the turf at the Field House Soccer Complex for one final 2014 showdown on Wednesday when they welcome Utica to town. Opening whistle is set to sound at 3 p.m.