PLATTSBURGH, NY - The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday night, falling to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 2-1 in full time. Senior Alex Graci (Kings Park, NY/Kings Park) collected his first goal of the season and the seventh of his career for the Card's lone score of the game. 

Plattsburgh falls to 3-1 with the loss and finally has their eight-game win streak dating back to last season, snapped. RPI improves to 1-2-1, as they finally move into the win column in 2022 and also pick up their first win in Plattsburgh since 1986. 

Once the clock started, the game was quickly pushed into the Engineers' favor, an Engineer player connected on a shot in the fifth minute to put his team on top. RPI continued to control the pace in the first half, testing goalkeeper Teddy Healy (Amityville, NY/Kellenberg Memorial) throughout the first period. 

Graci evened the score in the 26th minute when a Brian Coughlan (Pearl River, NY/Pearl River) corner kick was cleared to the top of the box by an RPI defender and right to the feet of Graci, who laced a shot into the left side of the net for the goal. The shot attempt was Plattsburgh's first and only shot of the half, as the offense made their best opportunity count. 

While RPI seemed to have stronger control in the first half, outshooting the Cardinals 5-1, Plattsburgh evened the playing field in the second half, going shot for shot with RPI in the second period. Each team took five shots in the half, with each side finding strong opportunities to break the tie. Healy helped the game remain tied in several instances, including an incredible save in the 54th minute, punching a rocket off the foot of an Engineer with his outstretched arm to the right side of the field. 

In the 79th minute, a foul on the edge of the box gave a chance for a penalty kick to RPI, and they took advantage, slotting a shot into the upper left corner of the goal for the lead. The Engineers were able to play keep away for the final 11 minutes, stopping Plattsburgh from getting a chance to tie the game, handing the Cardinals their first loss of 2022.

The Cardinals will be back in action at home on Tuesday, Sept. 13 against Russell Sage at 7 p.m. for their last non-conference tuneup before they head to Cortland on Saturday.