PLATTSBURGH, NY - Kirsten Villemaire (Plattsburgh, NY/Beekmantown) and Nora Fitzgerald (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle) each tallied scores against RPI on Wednesday evening, leading the Plattsburgh State women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory. The team now moves to 4-0, starting the season with four straight wins and four straight shutouts. RPI falls to 0-2-1, still searching for their first win of the season. 

Plattsburgh wasted little time coming out aggressive, securing 11 shots in the first half, and controlling the pace and ball throughout. Allison Seidman (Commack, NY/Commack) was the first Cardinal to get a shot at the goal, missing top right in the second minute of play. A shot by Seidman went off the left woodwork in the 8th minute and Sophia Hatziyianis (Massapequa Park, NY/Massapequa) also hit the post with a shot in the 11th minute, as Plattsburgh encountered some hard luck early on. 

Finally, Villemaire got a shot to go in the 14th minute for the Cards, striking one past the keeper with her left foot. The score was her second of the season, putting her in the team lead for goals on the season. 

Fitzgerald added to the Plattsburgh tally in the 27th minute, taking a ball from the Cardinal's box, all the way to goal, in true coast-to-coast fashion. The goal was also her second of the season, tying her for the team lead with Villemaire. 

The second half saw RPI start to figure out the Plattsburgh defense, securing several opportunities, but sophomore goalie Lauren Haley (LaGrange, NY/Arlington) and the backline defense were up to the task. Haley accumulated six saves in her second career win in goal, as she also picked up her second career shutout.

RPI had seven corner kicks in the second half alone, more than the Cardinals had in the entire game, and also outshot the Cards 9-4 in the second half. Still, the Cardinals were able to halt the Engineer's progress and keep their opponents off the board for the fourth straight game. 

The 4-0 start for Plattsburgh State is the best start for a Cardinal's women's soccer team since 2018 when the team finished 13-6 and 6-3 in conference play.

The Cardinals will get the weekend off before welcoming Middlebury on Wednesday, Sept. 14, a strong test before the team plays Cortland at home on Saturday, Sept. 17. Cortland eliminated the Cards in the conference semis last year, as the game could be a potential SUNYAC playoff preview.