PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team trounced the SUNY Potsdam Bears on Wednesday night, pouring in four second-half goals to defeat Potsdam 4-0 in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) action. Four players scored for Plattsburgh, as Brian Coughlan (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River) scored the game-winner and Frankie Palumbo (Walkill, N.Y./Walkill) notched his first career score.

Coughlan notched the game-winner and his third goal of the season off a penalty in the 57^th minute, also his second game-winner of the young season. Xavier Kamba (Valley Cottage, N.Y./Nyack) found the back of the net soon after in the 63^rd minute before Palumbo sealed the game with his goal in the 86^th minute. The Cards got their final goal of the game in the 89^th minute, as Jack Healy (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River) scored for the second straight game. Modou Badjie (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) and Danny Perry (Shirley, N.Y./Longwood) each tallied assists for Plattsburgh, while Teddy Healy (Amityville, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) registered his third shutout of the year, making one save to move to 5-0-1 on the year.

Plattsburgh continues their best start to a season since 2016, as they improve to 5-0-1 (1-0 SUNYAC) and next play on the road at SUNY Brockport on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. Potsdam falls to 3-2-1 (0-1 SUNYAC) with the loss and now looks towards a road matchup with Oswego State on Saturday, Sept. 23.

From the outset and throughout the vast majority of the 90-minute game, Plattsburgh, controlled, retained, and regained possession. Even when losing possession on one of their 23 shot attempts that were off target or saved, the Cardinals were able to quickly respond and recover, regaining possession and controlling the game with the ball at their feet.

Despite a scoreless second half, it was clear Plattsburgh was in control and brought their best on Wednesday night, as they outshot the Bears 11-2 in the first 45 minutes and had several attempts in and around the Potsdam goal. The Bears were strong defensively throughout, playing a good compact defense against a Plattsburgh team that was content to hold the ball, patiently waiting for a good opportunity.

In the second half, it was clear the Cardinals were still the aggressors and their aggressiveness finally paid dividends in the 57^th minute when Badjie was fouled in the box to set up a Plattsburgh penalty kick. For the second time this year, Coughlan was chosen to take the kick and deposited a line drive shot high above the goalkeeper for the score and eventual game-winner.

The Cards were once again able to find the back of the net in the 63^rd minute, as the play began with Badjie working his way down the field and taking an excellent shot that was turned away by the Potsdam keeper. Off the rebound, Kamba was right there to clean up the miss, putting in his second goal of the season.

Over the next 23 minutes, the Plattsburgh offense backed down a little from their aggressiveness, as they looked to not overplay their hand leading by two goals. Eventually, in the 86^th minute, the Cards earned a free kick about 10 yards outside of the box. Coughlan took the kick and after the ball rattled around the box, eventually finding the feet of Palumbo who smoked a shot with his right foot into the goal.  

With time winding down, Plattsburgh earned another free kick in the 89^th minute, as Perry took the kick from the far, right side of the box, basically equating to a corner kick. His kick went directly to Healy, whose shot found its way past the goalie for the second straight game, as he has doubled his career goal total in his last two games of play.

For Potsdam, Lucas Schiel took the loss in net, making six saves. Kyan Mathieu attempted two shots for the Bears, while Luke Clark had the only shot on goal.