Box Score

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team continued its late-season push with a 2-0 Senior Day victory over SUNY Canton on Saturday afternoon at the Field House Soccer Complex.

Coming off their first conference win of the season, a 2-1 road triumph over Oneonta on Wednesday, the Cardinals carried that momentum into their matchup with the Kangaroos, a team they have now defeated in all nine all-time meetings.

Plattsburgh wasted no time asserting control, opening the scoring in the 10th minute. First-year Declan Gallagher (LaGrangeville, N.Y./Arlington) slipped junior Xavier Kamba (Nyack, N.Y./Nyack) in behind the defense, and Kamba returned the favor with a squared pass back across the box for Gallagher, who calmly finished for his second goal in as many games. The first-year attacking midfielder has found his stride in recent weeks as his role continues to expand.

The Cardinals dominated the first half, dictating the pace and outshooting Canton by an overwhelming 19-1 margin, though the Kangaroos' defense held firm to keep the deficit at one entering the break.

The second half mirrored the first, with Plattsburgh maintaining comfortable control and continuing to generate quality chances, outshooting the Kangaroos 10-2 in the period. The Cardinals doubled their lead in the 68th minute when Lucas Arbelaez (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Somers) delivered a pinpoint cross into the box that first-year Rocco Ruscitto (Rye Neck, N.Y.) headed home to make it 2-0.

The Plattsburgh back line handled Canton's limited attacks with ease, securing the team's fifth shutout of the season. The win marks the second time this year the Cardinals have posted back-to-back victories, matching their early-season streak in games against Manhattanville and Ramapo.

With the result, Plattsburgh improves to 7-2-4 overall and 2-2-1 in SUNYAC play, moving into the top six in the conference standings as the postseason picture begins to take shape.