UTICA, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team traveled to Utica on Sunday, Sept. 3^rd, and soundly defeated the Utica Pioneers, 3-0. John Hayes (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River) posted his second career brace, as his two second-half goals helped the team pull away for the shutout win.
 
Teddy Healy (Amityville, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) posted his ninth career shutout in the win, stopping seven shots for his second win of the season. Mo Badjie (Ulster Park, N.Y./Kingston) scored his first goal as a Cardinal to open the scoring in the 20^th minute and Hayes posted his two goals in the second half, at the 52^ndand 69th-minute marks. Frankie Palumbo (Walkill, N.Y./ Walkill) and Tristan Laundree (Keeseville, N.Y./AuSable Valley) each picked up assists, with Laundree's assist being the first of his career. 
 
The Cardinals move to 2-0 on the year and will enjoy five days off before traveling to RPI on Saturday, Sept. 9 for their next game. Utica moves to 1-1 on the year, as they next play SUNY Poly on Saturday, Sept 9. 
 
Plattsburgh State picked up where they left off Friday, putting together plenty of offense to follow up their three-goal second half against Clarkson. Each team traded shots early before Badjie finally broke the scoreless tie in the 20^th minute, as Frankie Palumbo (Walkill, N.Y./ Walkill) found the transfer junior for the score. Palumbo's helper was just the second of his career, with his only other assist also occurring on Sept. 3, exactly one year ago against DeSales University.
 
The Badjie score was the lone goal of the first half, with Plattsburgh attempting 10 shots, and Utica attempting eight. The Cardinals also earned more corners in the first half, with four total, eventually earning 10 over the entire 90-minute match. Plattsburgh attempted 20 total shots in the game, while Utica took 14, as each offense was able to generate several opportunities throughout.
 
In the second half, Hayes took over for the Cards, putting together his second career brace with his goals in the 52^nd and 69^th minutes. Hayes also scored twice against Fredonia last October, also scoring two goals in one half in the conference match. 
 
Utica pressed on despite being down three scores over the final 20-plus minutes, but Healy was up to the challenge in goal, stopping three shots in the final 13 minutes to seal the win.