Box Score PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team had its chances but was unable to tie the game against St. Lawrence Tuesday night, falling to the Saints 2-1.

The Saints controlled the possession for the opening 15 minutes of play but it was the Cardinals who lit the scoreboard first.
It was a quick counterattack in the 18^th minute led by Fabian Chaparro who sent a long lead pass to teammate Alexis Archilla. In full stride, Archilla was able to race by his defender and beat a charging goalkeeper to the ball. The sophomore then cool and calmly tapped the ball into the open net giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.

After the goal, play was back in forth for the rest of the first half until St. Lawrence finally hit pay dirt scoring with a mere eight seconds left in the half.

Austin Roney set it up with a long throw in into the box. It first hit the head of Harry Copeland and then was headed in by Praveen Balakumaran into the bottom right hand side of the net to tie the game at the end of the first half.

In the second half it was all Saints early. They earned two free kicks in dangerous territory. The first free kick was taken right on top of the 18 yard box. Mark Provost struck the ball sending it barely wide of the left post.

Two minutes later St. Lawrence found itself with another free kick this time from 35 yards out. Provost took the kick again sending it into the box and connecting with Rob Brandell who volleyed the ball out of the air and over goalkeeper Mitchell Jordan.

Plattsburgh State stayed tough though right until the end. The Cardinals found themselves with a golden opportunity in the 87^th minute when captain Ethan Votraw sent a pass into the box from the right corner stick. Sliding in was Archilla whose shot was grazed by a defender resulting inches wide of the right post.

Plattsburgh State drops to 5-3-1 on the year while St. Lawrence moves to 6-2-0.

Archilla currently ranks third on the NCAA Men's Division III goal leaderboard with nine, just one behind two student-athletes with 10.

The Cardinals play again Saturday at 1 p.m. at SUNY Potsdam to open up State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play.