PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team stayed hot on Saturday afternoon, extending its conference win streak to four matches with a 3–0 road victory over Oswego State. The win moves the Cardinals one step closer to securing a berth in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) playoffs.
The Cardinals (9-2-4, 4-2-1 SUNYAC) entered the matchup having not lost to Oswego since 2010, and that dominance continued in convincing fashion. Despite being outshot 11-8 in the first half, Plattsburgh controlled the tempo and created the more dangerous chances throughout the contest.
First-year Rocco Ruscitto (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Rye Neck) continued his impressive run of form, opening the scoring in the 21st minute after senior Santiago Vargas (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage) collected a loose ball and slipped a perfectly timed pass in behind the Lakers' back line for Ruscitto to slot home the finish.
The Cardinals doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute when junior Jake McGowan (Warwick, N.Y./Warwick Valley) created havoc down the right flank, delivering a dangerous cross into the box that deflected off an Oswego defender for an own goal to make it 2–0.
The physicality ramped up late in the half, with five cards issued in total, including a pivotal red card for Oswego in the 39th minute, forcing the Lakers to play the final 50 minutes down a man.
Plattsburgh carried its 2–0 lead into halftime and maintained full control after the break, outshooting Oswego 6–4 in the second half. The Cardinals sealed the result in the 70th minute when first-year Robbie Kapovic (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills East) intercepted a pass inside the attacking third and broke free for a one-on-one finish past the goalkeeper to make it 3–0.
The win marked the Cardinals' sixth shutout of the season, as sophomore goalkeeper Matthew D'Ippolito (Baldwin Place, N.Y./Somers) made three saves in a steady performance between the posts.
With the victory, Plattsburgh improves to 9-2-4 overall and 4-2-1 in SUNYAC play. The Cardinals return home on Wednesday night to host Potsdam at 7 p.m. under the lights, looking to clinch their spot in the conference tournament.
