FREDONIA, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team used two second-half goals from Brian Coughlan (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River) to escape with a victory on the road against Fredonia in a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) match. With the win, the team has now clinched their best start in nearly 20 years, with 11 straight games without a loss to begin the year bested by the 2004 Cardinals.

Despite playing at center back, Coughlan managed to find his way on the offensive hand throughout the game, culminating in two goals for the junior. He is now tied for the team lead with five goals, as he registered his second brace of the season. Teddy Healy (Amityville, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) earned the win in goal to move to 6-0-4 on the season, making six saves in net.

The Cardinals now move to 7-0-4 (2-0-3 SUNYAC), picking up their first conference win since their first SUNYAC game back on Sept. 20. They next have a huge home matchup with the #15 Cortland Red Dragons on Wednesday, Oct. 11, who currently sit atop of the league standings. Fredonia falls to 5-4-4 (1-4-1 SUNYAC) and will host the second-place Brockport Golden Eagles on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

The first half saw Fredonia jump out to a relatively early lead, as Kaleb Steward notched a 16th-minute goal to put the Blue Devils up 1-0. Plattsburgh would not back down from the challenge of a deficit, however, outshooting Fredonia 8-6 and earning five corners to the Blue Devil's one over the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, Healy made two early saves to keep his team down by just one goal, eventually allowing the Cards to get on the attack themselves. After a John Hayes (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River) shot was saved and Plattsburgh had another corner, the team had their opportunity in the 64^th minute.

Working from a ball in the right corner of the field, Dylan Shalvey (Cavan, Ireland/Tappan Zee (N.Y.)) put a pass into the box that hit a Plattsburgh head and went straight up. The bouncing ball came down right at the feet of Coughlan, who was able to control, work between two Blue Devil defenders, and slot a shot right underneath the goalkeeper's outstretched arm.

With the game now tied, Plattsburgh kept control of the ball for the rest of the contest, dominating possession over the Blue Devils, holding them to just three shots and none after the 76^th minute.

As the Cardinal attack continued to pressure the Fredonia defense, junior forward Modou Badjie (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) broke through the defensive line in the 83^rd minute, heading into the Blue Devil's goalie box. Just after passing the line with no one in front of him but the keeper, he was tripped from behind, giving the Cards a penalty kick. Coughlan was the choice for head coach Chris Taylor, as his junior center back was already 2-2 on kicks heading into the game. The Pearl River native took the kick and went into the right upper corner, with no contest from the goalie, giving Plattsburgh a dramatic lead.

Over the final six-plus minutes, the Cards continued to attack offensively, earning three corners and attempting one shot on goal, while holding Fredonia shotless to earn the win.

Thomas McDonald took the loss in goal for Fredonia, playing only 15 minutes, but allowing one goal. Kaleb Steward had the lone score, with Chance Lacroix picking up the assist.