Box Score PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – As potent as the offense was for the Plattsburgh State men's soccer team in its season-opening triumph on Friday night, it couldn't offset an exceptionally strong Misercordia University back line as the Cardinals found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-0 decision to the Cougars at Plattsburgh High School on Saturday afternoon.
In the final game of the 2014 Best Western-Ground Round Cardinal Classic, the Cardinals racked up some 16 shots, but couldn't get many good looks against the Cougars strong defensive unit. With the win, the Cougars earned the title of 2014 Best Western-Ground Round Cardinal Classic champions.
Plattsburgh State (1-1), which was handed its first setback of the season, was led by three shots each by tournament offensive MVP Alexis Archilla and All-Tournament Team member Nick Parrella.
In fact, it was Parrella who conjured up one of the best goal-scoring chances of the afternoon for the Cardinals early on in the non-conference battle. With a little less than 10 minutes gone in the game, the Miller Place, N.Y., product took the ball and darted past the Cougars' back line, but sent a high shot over the Misericordia net.
Controlling the tempo wasn't an issue for the Cardinals, who spent a great deal of time in Misericordia's half of the field during the opening frame. However, when the Cougars got their one chance to strike they didn't let it go by the wayside.
With 39:03 gone in the battle, Misericordia's Trey Ziegler stepped up and sent the only Cougar corner kick straight to the head of Kevin Matlon who sent a ball past Plattsburgh State netminder Mitchell Jordon to put the Cardinals in a 1-0 hole.
The Cardinals almost saw their deficit grow to 2-0 before the curtain came down on the first half as Derek Antonini blasted a mighty shot which deflected off of Jordon's crossbar with 43:21 gone.
As the final frame began, Plattsburgh State continued to pepper the Misericordia net with shots but through the final 23:40 the Cardinals could only put up two more attempts. Once again, Parrella had an opportunity to pump in the equalizer but was whistled for an offside citation as his header glanced off the far post in the 67
th minute.
Misericordia was able to pad its advantage when Antonini broke loose from a pack of Plattsburgh State defenders in the 80
th minute. Nate Mansfield chipped a pass over to a sprinting Antonini who easily finished past Jordon to make matters 2-0.
The Cougars totaled seven shots through the course of the 90-minute tilt – four of which challenged Jordon. Barry Fitzgerald recorded his first clean sheet of 2014, making five saves en route to Defensive MVP honors.
Jordon fell to 1-1 while making a pair of saves for the Cardinals.
On Wednesday night, the Cardinals will take part in their first road engagement of the 2014 campaign when they travel to Northfield, Vt., to face off against Norwich. The non-conference tussle is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Game Three: SUNY Potsdam 2, Fitchburg State 0The Bears scored a goal in each half to finish as the runner-up team in the 2014 Best Western-Ground Round Cardinal Classic.
All-Tournament Team selection Stephen Auyer registered a goal and an assist - his first three points of the season - to move the Bears to 1-0-1 on the young season. Fitchburg State fell to 0-2 with the setback.
2014 Best Western-Ground Round Cardinal Classic All-Tournament TeamSUNY Potsdam - Stephen AuyerSUNY Potsdam - Eric CassidyMisericordia - Hunter CaysaPlattsburgh - Clay Sherman
Plattsburgh - Nick ParrellaOffensive MVPPlattsburgh - Alexis ArchillaDefensive MVPMisericordia - Barry Fitzgerald
