POTSDAM, N.Y. — The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team opened the 2021 season with a 3-2 non-conference road victory over Clarkson University on Wednesday night at Hantz Turf Field. 

Plattsburgh State (1-0-0) outscored Clarkson (0-1-0) 2-1 in the first half. The Cardinals struck first when senior Yusif Okine (Schenectady, N.Y./Schenectady) scored in the 13th minute. First-year student Brian Coughlan (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River) tallied his first collegiate point with an assist on the play.

Clarkson would tie the match at 1-1 in the 17th minute. The goal was scored by Ben Root and assisted by Nolan Grady and James Nicholas. 

However, the Cardinals retook the lead when Coughlan scored his first career goal (unassisted) in the 34th minute.

In the second half, The Golden Knights tied the score at 2-2 on a goal by Mack Walton in the 60th minute.

The score remained tied until the 74th minute when junior forward Jai Coker (Birkdale, Australia/Redlands College) scored his first goal as a Cardinal to put Plattsburgh State in front, 3-2. Okine and Coughlan assisted on the goal.

Plattsburgh State, which edged Clarkson 12-11 in shots and 8-7 in shots on goals, held on for the victory. 

First-year goalkeeper Teddy Healy (Amityville, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) (1-0-0) earned his first collegiate victory with five saves for Plattsburgh State. Bryan Benitez (0-1-0) made four saves for Clarkson.