PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The No. 17 Plattsburgh State men's soccer used two first-half goals from John Hayes (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River) and Tristan Laundree (Keeseville, N.Y./AuSable Valley) to take down Fredonia in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play. The Cards conceded a goal early in the second half action but were able to lock in to hold the Blue Devils scoreless the rest of the way.

The Plattsburgh State Cardinals are ranked at No. 17 in the United Soccer Coaches (USC) Division III National Poll.

Hayes notched the game's first goal in the 16^th minute, his eighth of the season, while Laundree recorded the eventual game-winner in the 20^th minute off a Xavier Kamba (Valley Cottage, N.Y./Nyack) assist. Teddy Healy (Amityville, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) played well in goal for the Cards, making two saves to earn his sixth win of the season, as he now stands at 6-0-2 on the year. For the season, he has allowed just five goals, holding a .65 goals-against average, helped by a strong defense that has combined with Healy not to allow more than one goal in any game this season.

The Cards outshot the Blue Devils 18-7 over 90 minutes and were able to earn seven corners to Fredonia's six.

Plattsburgh State moves to 6-0-2 (1-0-0 SUNYAC) on the season and will next take on Morrisville on Saturday, Sept. 28 in SUNYAC action. Before the game, the Cards will honor their five seniors: Modou Badjie (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston), Brian Coughlan (Pearl River, N.Y./Pearl River), Hayes, Healy, and Thomas O'Neill (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa). Fredonia falls to 4-4-2 (0-1-0 SUNYAC) and next travels to Pitt-Bradford for a non-conference contest on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

Early on the Cardinals offense presented issues for the Fredonia defense, as a corner in the sixth minute resulted in an on-target shot from Hayes that was saved.

As the Plattsburgh offense continued to push the pace, a chance developed in the 16^th minute as Laundree broke through two Blue Devil defenders and tried to pass to Hayes. One Fredonia player deflected the initial pass and then mishandled by another, allowing Hayes to pick up the ball uncontested just outside the six, where he finished with a screamer into the left side of the net for the score. The goal marked new career-highs for Hayes in goals (8) and points (18) with at least nine regular season games to go. He also moves back into a tie for fourth place in the nation in goals as results continue to come in around the nation.

Just over four minutes later, the Cardinal's strong press up front broke up a Fredonia push up the field, as Hayes stepped in to push away a pass in Plattsburgh's attacking third, where Kamba was able to control. Entering the 18-yard box, he passed off to Laundree who was unmarked, and he unleashed a shot that deflected off a Blue Devil defender and into the back of the net. The goal gave Laudree his second in as many games, as he now has three on the young season.

Just a few minutes later, Fredonia looked to have a great chance of their own as their top scorer Brian Taylor had space in the goalie box, but Coughlan made an outstanding sliding play to block the shot from even getting near Healy in goal and keep the Cards ahead by two scores.
 
The 2-0 advantage held into halftime, as the Cards looked to put the game away, but a goal in the 51^st minute gave Fredonia life with Freddie Butler notching his second goal of the season off a Taylor assist.
From there Plattsburgh looked to build back their two-goal cushion but shot after shot was blocked, off-target, or saved, keeping Fredonia within striking distance. The Blue Devils had chances as well down the stretch, but the Cardinals played excellent team defense down the stretch, making stop after stop to earn the win.

Thomas McDonald took the loss in goal for Fredonia, making three saves in 90 minutes of action.