Cortland, N.Y. - The Plattsburgh Men's Lacrosse team fell 19-7 to SUNY Cortland on Saturday afternoon, as the Cardinals lost their opening game of SUNYAC conference play. Stephen Kane (Hampden, MA/ Minnechaugh Regional) paced the team with five goals, as he now sits with 29 on the season. 

Cortland opened up the scoring with the first three goals of the game to go up early, 3-0 before Kyle Ruland (Medford, NY/Patchogue-Medford) got Plattsburgh on the board with his second goal of the season. The Red Dragons scored another goal before the end of the first quarter to go up 4-1 after a period of play.

The second quarter was all Cortland, as they outscored the Cardinals 8-2 in the quarter, allowing them a 12-3 advantage at the halftime break. Kane scored the two Plattsburgh goals in the stanza, as the Cards tried to stay in the game. 

In the second half, the Plattsburgh was able to stay more competitive, as they scored four goals to Cortland's seven but the Red Dragon halftime advantage was too much to overcome. Overall, Cortland attempted 55 shots, with 37 on goal, while Plattsburgh attempted 40 total shots with 23 on goal. 

Play was even in the center of the field, as the Red Dragons won 16 face offs, while the Cardinals won 12. Cortland, however, dominated the loose ball category, as they picked up 18 more ground balls than Plattsburgh over 60 minutes.

Zach Gill (Miller Place, NY/Rocky Point) had a goal for the Cardinals while four separate Plattsburgh players added assists. Christian Bassi (Windham, NH/Kimball Union Academy) made 16 saves in goal in the first three quarters and Dan Clements (Putnam Valley, NY/Putnam Valley) made two saves in the fourth quarter.

The Cardinals return to action next Saturday, April 2 when they host SUNY Oswego in their home SUNYAC opener at 4 p.m.