OSWEGO, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team clinched a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) playoff berth on Saturday, taking a 1-0 win over Oswego State on the road. The Cardinals clinched by virtue of their win, as well as losses from Morrisville and Potsdam, as they will make their fourth playoff appearance under the tenure of head coach Chris Taylor.

John Hayes (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River) scored the game's lone goal, as his 16^th-minute penalty kick was the difference for the team in the win. Teddy Healy (Amityville, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) posted his sixth shutout of the season, a new career-high, as he made three saves in 90 minutes of action, moving to 9-2-3 on the season. The Cardinals won the shot battle 14-11, putting seven shots on goal to Oswego's three. They also outpaced the Lakers, earning seven corners to the two of Oswego.

Plattsburgh State improves to 9-2-3 (4-2-2 SUNYAC) for their highest win total since 2019, as they next travel to Potsdam on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. Oswego State falls to 7-3-4 (2-3-2 SUNYAC) and will next take on Buffalo State on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.

The Cardinals came out aggressively on Saturday, putting a shot on goal in the fourth minute and attempting four shots in the first 10 minutes of action. In the 16^th minute of action, the Cardinals were awarded a penalty kick after the Oswego goalie knocked over a Plattsburgh player in the box as he possessed the ball. The Cards gave Hayes the opportunity for his first career penalty, and the senior converted, going to the goalie's left as he dove right, giving Plattsburgh the lead.

Plattsburgh continued to put pressure on the Oswego defense throughout the first half, but the Lakers were able to swing back with a couple of shots in the final 17 minutes of the half. The team was unable to come up with anything, however, as Healy saved the lone shot of the three on goal.

The shots became more even in the second half as time went on and the Cardinals prioritized holding their one-goal lead. The Lakers had their only on-target shot of the stanza saved in the 65^th minute, as Healy made the save in the bottom left of the net.

Over the final 20 minutes, the pressure from the Oswego front became more apparent as they fired four shots in the final minutes. The Cardinals were able to work the ball deep in their end in the same time span, earning five corners, but had just two shots on target.

In the final five minutes, the Lakers had two shots go off target, with a Kieran Husselbeck shot in the 86^th minute being the final attempt of the game, as the Cards took the big road win.

Kyle Rose made six saves in goal for Oswego State, taking the loss in 90 minutes of action.