POTSDAM, N.Y. – Senior midfielder Taka Fukushima (Noda, Japan/Municipal Kashiwa) scored 19 seconds into the match while senior forward Chris Robertson (Thiells, N.Y./St. Joseph Regional [N.J.]) added insurance in the 82nd minute, as the Plattsburgh State men's soccer team blanked previously-unbeaten and 24th-ranked Clarkson University, 2-0, on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at Hantz Turf Field.
 
Clarkson is ranked at No. 24 in the D3soccer.com Men's Top-25 Poll.
 
In what was an otherwise evenly-matched game, both teams took 13 shots, while the Cardinals finished with a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.
 
Plattsburgh State rises to 2-3-2 overall with the win and now has posted a shutout in three straight games. The Cardinals open up State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play at home on Friday, Sept. 21, against The College at Brockport at 4 p.m. Clarkson falls to 5-1-0 overall with the loss and next visits SUNY Canton on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 8 p.m.
 
The Cardinals wasted no time getting on the board, as a defensive miscue by Clarkson helped result in the first goal just 19 seconds in. A Clarkson defender who was about to clear the ball had it poked away by junior midfielder Connor Nembach (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown West), and Fukushima received the pass from Nembach. Fukushima dribbled the ball forward off a Clarkson defender, regained possession and uncorked a shot from around the top of the 6-yard box that beat the Golden Knight goalkeeper. It marked Fukushima's second goal of the season.
 
Robertson added insurance at the 81:35 mark with his second goal of the season. Fukushima played the ball forward to Robertson, and after receiving the pass, Robertson dribbled down the left wing and scored far post.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Wilson (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Arlington) picked up his SUNYAC-leading fourth shutout of the season in the victory for the Cardinals, making six saves. Junior goalkeeper Ian Roeloffs made two stops in net in the loss for the Golden Knights.