POTSDAM, N.Y. – Sophomore forward Kirsten Villemaire (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Beekmantown) achieved a career high for goals scored in a season when she tallied her eighth goal of 2019, but Plattsburgh State women's soccer suffered a 2-1 setback in a non-conference match with Clarkson University on Tuesday night at Hantz Turf Field.
 
Offense was limited in the first half with Plattsburgh State (5-5-1) holding a 3-2 advantage in shots over Clarkson (8-3-1), but Plattsburgh State capitalized on a scoring opportunity in the 31st minute for the only goal of the first 45:00 of play. Villemaire, who leads the Cardinals in goals scored this season, set a career-high for goals in a season with her eighth tally of 2019 to give Plattsburgh State a 1-0 lead over Clarkson. On the goal, Villemaire garnered her 19th point of the season, which is also a single-season career high. A Cardinal forced a Golden Knight turnover near midfield and passed the ball ahead to senior forward Katie Matott (Rouses Point, N.Y./Northeastern Clinton). Matott turned and played a through ball ahead to Villemaire, who got behind the defense. Villemaire dribbled into the 18-yard box and finished with a right-footed strike into the lower-left corner of the net. Plattsburgh State went into halftime leading the match 1-0.
 
In the second half, Plattsburgh State was outscored 2-0 as Clarkson went on to win 2-1. Clarkson tied the match at 1-1 in the 50th minute. Plattsburgh State's defense dispossessed a Golden Knight of the ball in the Cardinal's 18-yard box. However, a Cardinal defender tried to clear the ball and it was intercepted in front of Plattsburgh State's goal by Clarkson's Sarah Kohls, who finished for the goal. Then in the 74th minute, the Golden Knights had a shot that was stopped near the right post by Plattsburgh State's goalkeeper. However, the rebound rolled in front of the net where Mahoney kicked the ball in to give Clarkson a 2-1 lead that it would not relinquish. Camryn Careccia assisted on the goal for Clarkson.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Julia Ennis (Carmel, N.Y./Kennedy Catholic) (5-5-1) started the match, made two saves and allowed both goals in 81:48 of action for Plattsburgh State. Senior goalkeeper Tina Bedard (Morrisonville, N.Y./Saranac) made her first career appearance for the Cardinals as she played 8:12 in relief of Ennis.
 
Emma Timerman (1-0-0) made two saves in her first start of the season for Clarkson.
 
Plattsburgh State held a 9-7 edge in shots, but Clarkson had a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal. Corner kicks were 5-1 in favor of Clarkson.
 
Plattsburgh State next plays a State University of New York Athletic Conference match against SUNY Potsdam on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m. in Potsdam, N.Y. Clarkson faces Ithaca College in a Liberty League match at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, in Ithaca, N.Y.