Box Score GENEVA, N.Y. – Even though it sent shot after shot at Hobart keeper Mike Lucas, the Plattsburgh State men's soccer team didn't see any of them find the back of the net and the Statesmen pumped in a late second-half goal which sent the Cardinals to a 1-0 defeat at Cozzens Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Cardinals finished with one fewer shot than the Statesmen (14-13), but owned a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal as they fell to 2-2 in 2014. Hobart picked up its second triumph of the season and moves to 2-1 on the season.
From 11:57 until 20:29 in the opening frame, the Cardinals sent four hard shots at Lucas – including two off the boot of senior Nick Parrella – but the Statesman answered the call each time.
With neither team receiving many quality scoring chances through the rest of the opening frame, the action shifted to the deciding half where Hobart pumped in the game-winner.
At the 83:53 mark of the tilt, Zico Gaeffke accepted a pass from another Statesman and worked his way into the box. Gaeffke ripped off a hard shot that ricocheted off of a Plattsburgh State defender and back to his foot. From there, Gaeffke sent a long cross to Jacob Fox who was standing just in front of the Cardinals' net where he one-touched the ball past Mitchell Jordon for the game-winning score.
Fox's score came shortly after Parrella had a golden opportunity to put the Cardinals on top. With 9:34 remaining in the bout, the Miller Place, N.Y., product sped past his would-be defender and found himself one-on-one with Lucas, but as soon as he let his shot go the Hobart netminder made a diving stop.
The ball rolled free from the clutches of Lucas for a moment, but he was able to regain his composure and cover it up before Parrella could get another crack at it.
Jordon (2-2) made a trio of saves in net during the setback while Lucas (2-1) turned aside all nine shots he faced. Hobart also enjoyed a 9-5 advantage in corner kicks.
Parrella and Ethan Votraw each had three shots for Plattsburgh State.
With their two-game road swing behind them, the Cardinals will now play four of their next five contests at home. That home-heavy stretch begins with a Wednesday night battle against non-conference foe Castleton State. The Cardinals and Spartans are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. from the Plattsburgh High School soccer field.
