OSWEGO, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State women's soccer team picked up their first conference win of the 2023 season on Saturday afternoon, defeating Oswego State in a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) match. With the win, the Cards picked three important points on the road in the SUNYAC standings.

Nora Fitzgerald (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) was the game's lone goal scorer, as the senior attacker scored in the 65^th minute for a Plattsburgh lead. With the goal, she has now tied Avery Durgan (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Beekmantown) for the team lead in goals (3), assists (3), and points (9). Lauren Haley (LaGrange, N.Y./Arlington) picked up her fourth shutout of the year with her two-save effort to move to 3-3-3 on the year.

The Cardinals improved to 3-3-3 (1-1-2 SUNYAC) with the win, avenging their 2022 SUNYAC Tournament loss to the Lakers. They next have a strong test at home with St. Lawrence visiting Plattsburgh on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. Oswego State falls to 4-2-3 (1-1-1 SUNYAC) and have the Fredonia Blue Devils next on their schedule for a home match.

The first half was very evenly played between both teams, as each had four shots, with the Lakers earning four corner kicks to Plattsburgh's zero. The Cardinals had an early look at the goal saved by the Oswego goalie, as Fitzgerald's shot was turned away in the fourth minute to keep the game scoreless. About 30 seconds later, the Lakers had a chance that was saved by a field player, turning away what would have been an early goal for Oswego as well. The team made another team save in the 18^th minute, turning away a Brianna Winkler shot.

In the second half, the Lakers came out aggressively in the first 15 minutes, earning three corners and attempting two shots, one of which was saved by Haley in goal.

In the 65^th minute, Jessica Mare (Deer Park, N.Y./Deer Park) played a ball from the midfield to the other side of the field, finding Fitzgerald all alone and just onside. With the closest defender several feet to her left, Fitzgerald had just the goalie to beat. The Oswego keeper made the decision to come out and to try to kick the ball away, well outside of the box, but she made minimal contact with the ball, allowing Fitzgerald to keep possession and go to the goal uncontested for the score.

The Cardinals only attempted one more shot, as Durgan had a shot saved in the 66^th minute, as the team packed it in defensively to protect their lead. They allowed just two shots from Oswego over the final 24-plus minutes, earning their first conference win of the season.

Perri Anderson took the loss in net making two saves while Brianna Winkler took three shots to lead the Lakers on Saturday.