GENESEO, NY - The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team picked up a big road win on Saturday, defeating Geneseo by a score of 2-0. Juan Velez (Cuenca, Ecuador/Peekskill (NY)) and Brian Coughlan (Pearl River, NY/Pearl River) each produced goals for the Cardinals on their way to their first SUNYAC victory of 2022. 

Plattsburgh moves their record to 5-2-1 overall, with a record 1-1-1 in SUNYAC play after the afternoon win. Geneseo falls to 6-3-0 and 0-1-0, as they lost their first SUNYAC game of the year to the Cards. 

The first half did not see much action as both teams combined to take only five shots, as Marcial Vasquez (Mount Kisco, NY/Fox Lane) recorded two saves to help keep the game scoreless going into halftime. 

The second half completely flipped the script in terms of action, as the offense was on full display from each side, with 17 total shots being taken in the second period. Plattsburgh was only able to put three shots on goal during the game, but they made their good looks count, producing two scores in the half. 

Velez grabbed the lead for the Cardinals right out of the gate in the second period, as the play began with Andrew Braverman (Sayville, NY/Sayville) sending a deep ball down the field where Trey Ekert (Wading River, NY/Shoreham-Wading River) was able to head the ball right to Velez. The senior took one touch off the Ekert pass and wound up for a ball just outside the top of the box, depositing the shot into the right corner of the net for the second goal of the season. 

Coughlan nailed the dagger for Plattsburgh in the 75th minute, as Geneseo took opportunity after opportunity but couldn't get past Vasquez in net. In a one-on-one chance, Couglan was able to work around his defender, chipping the ball past the opposing player and into the box, where he was able to get a shot from the left side of the box, into the right corner of the net. His third goal of the season puts him at 10 points overall, good for tops of the team and seventh in the SUNYAC. 

In his first career game, Vasquez picked up the first win of his career, stopping six shots and earning a shutout in his collegiate debut. The junior played excellently in net, helping his team to pick up three points in the SUNYAC standings. 

Plattsburgh will head to Potsdam on Wednesday, Sept. 28 for their next SUNYAC game, playing the Bears at 7 p.m.