BUFFALO, N.Y. – The fourth-seeded Plattsburgh State women's soccer team fell, 2-0, to 18th-ranked and top-seeded Buffalo State in the semifinal round of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at Coyer Field.
 
Plattsburgh State finishes its season at 11-9 overall, marking the third consecutive year the Cardinals have qualified for the SUNYAC Tournament semifinals. Buffalo State stretches its winning streak to 13 with the win and moves to 16-1-2 overall. The Bengals will host second-seeded SUNY Geneseo in the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. at Coyer Field.
 
Buffalo State got on the board early, as junior forward Tianna Hatch scored off a short crossing pass from freshman midfielder Jada Sargeant in the ninth minute. Senior forward Melissa Smith buried her SUNYAC-leading 14th goal of the year in the 29th minute to give the Bengals a 2-0 advantage, as she received a long through ball from senior midfielder Jenna Smolinski to find the back of the net.
 
Plattsburgh State nearly broke through in the second minute, as senior forward Anissa Hartmann (Fairfax, Vt./BFA Fairfax) had a shot denied by Buffalo State's freshman goalkeeper Taylor Carillo. Junior midfielder Madeline Saccocio (Schenectady, N.Y./Schalmont) sprang Carillo into action in the 29th minute, but Carillo once again came up with the stop to keep the Cardinals off the board. Saccocio put another shot on frame in the 64th minute, but Carillo turned the attempt aside to complete the shutout.
 
Saccocio keyed the Cardinal attack with four shots (two on goal), while Smith paced the Bengals with seven (four on goal).

Buffalo State finished the game with a 24-7 advantage in shots and a 5-0 cushion in corner kicks.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Nichole Gibson (Arkport, N.Y./Arkport) made eight saves in the loss for Plattsburgh State, while Carillo notched her program-record 12th shutout of the season in the win for Buffalo State, making three stops.