PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Junior goalkeeper Ryan Wilson (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Arlington) made a season high in saves, but Plattsburgh State men's soccer was defeated by Clarkson University 1-0 in a non-conference match on Saturday afternoon at the Field House Complex.
After neither team scored for the first 20 minutes of the match, Plattsburgh State (2-5-0) fell behind 1-0 as Clarkson (4-3-0) scored what turned out to be the only goal of the contest in the 22nd minute. The Golden Knights' goalkeeper played a goal kick ahead to midfield where a teammate headed the ball forward to another Clarkson player. That player turned, dribbled ahead, and played a through ball ahead to another teammate, who dribbled into the 18-yard box and passed across to Mack Walton. Walton briefly lost his balance but he got back up, made a move to his right, and scored on a low shot.
Wilson (2-5-0) made a season-high five saves for Plattsburgh State as he kept the Cardinals within striking distance. One of those saves was a reaction save in the 40th minute that kept the score at 1-0 going into halftime. In the first half, shots were 7-6 in favor of Clarkson and shots on goal were even at 4-4.
In the second half, Plattsburgh State attempted to find the game-tying goal. Junior defender Luke Rapaport (Mohegan Lake, N.Y./Lakeland) had a shot on goal in the 48th minute that was saved by Clarkson's goalkeeper Ian Roeloffs (3-3-0). With under 20 minutes to play, the Cardinals had an offensive surge, but a shot by senior forward Kyle Pfaff (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) was saved by Roeloffs in the 73rd minute. The Cardinals were unable to find the equalizer and the match ended with the score 1-0 in favor of the Golden Knights.
Roleoffs stopped six shots in goal for Clarkson.
Shots were 13-8 in favor of Clarkson and shots on goal were even at 6-6.
Plattsburgh State begins State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play against Fredonia at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, at the Field House Complex. Clarkson hosts St. Lawrence University in a Liberty League match at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, in Potsdam, N.Y.