PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — The third-seeded Plattsburgh State men's soccer team is set to host sixth-seeded Fredonia in the First Round of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, at the Field House Complex Turf. The Cardinals look to begin their pursuit of the program's ninth SUNYAC title and first since 2013.

TICKET INFORMATION: General admission on game day is $5 (cash only). Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online for $6 (includes a $1 convenience fee). SUNYAC students with valid identification will be admitted free of charge.
 
ABOUT THE SERIES: Plattsburgh State holds a 24-18-10 all-time record against Fredonia, winning two of the last three matchups. The last time the Cardinals met the Blue Devils in the first round of the SUNYAC Tournament was in 2016, when the squad fell, 5-4, in a penalty shootout.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS: Plattsburgh State finished the regular season with a 10-2-5 overall record and a 5-2-2 mark in SUNYAC play, including a 5-1-3 record at home. The Cardinals secured a playoff berth with a win over Potsdam on Oct. 22 and clinched the No. 3 seed with a draw against Buffalo State to close the regular season. According to the NCAA's National Power Index (NPI), Plattsburgh State ranks 49th nationally and sixth in Region III.

The Cardinals' offense has been a consistent force this season, producing 31 goals while averaging 14.2 shots per game. Plattsburgh State features a balanced attack, with nine different players scoring multiple goals throughout the year. The forward line is led by a pair of dynamic junior wingers, Xavier Kamba (Nyack, N.Y./Nyack) and Tristan Laundree (Keeseville, N.Y./AuSable Valley), who lead the team in points. Kamba has tallied 11 points on five goals and one assist, while Laundree follows closely with 10 points on three goals and four assists, as the duo has been instrumental as the Cardinals' primary 1v1 attacking threats.

In the midfield, senior Santiago Vargas (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage) serves as the team's playmaker, orchestrating play from the attacking midfield position and totaling 10 points on four goals and two assists. Up top, the Cardinals utilize a two-man rotation at center forward between first-years Rocco Ruscitto (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Rye Neck) and Robbie Kapovic (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills East), each starting seven matches this season. Ruscitto has contributed three goals, while Kapovic has added two in their impressive rookie campaigns. First-years Declan Gallagher (LaGrangeville, N.Y./Arlington) and Cris Arias (Riverhead, N.Y./Riverhead) have also made their mark as impact options off the bench. Gallagher delivered the game-winning goal at Oneonta, while Arias turned heads with a four-assist performance in the Cardinals' 6-0 win over Potsdam.

The Cardinals emphasize a possession-based style of play, focused on maintaining control in attack and quickly, aggressively winning the ball back on defense. This approach is embodied by the team's engine in the center of the field, junior midfielder Jake McGowan (Warwick, N.Y./Warwick Valley), whose relentless work rate and composure set the tone in midfield. He is often joined by junior Davis Lopez (Brentwood, N.Y./Brentwood) and sophomore Alex Guevara (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas), both of whom share similar traits and provide the perfect balance alongside McGowan.

The Cardinals' defense is anchored by the senior center-back tandem of Randall Ashong (Nungua, Ghana/Arlington) and Danny Perry (Shirley, N.Y./Longwood). Ashong provides a strong, physical presence in the back line, perfectly complemented by Perry's composure and ability to distribute from the defensive third. Perry, who transitioned from midfield to center back this season, has adapted seamlessly to his new role.

At the outside back positions, Plattsburgh State has utilized a rotating group of players offering a variety of skill sets. Aaron Cohen (Bloomingburg, N.Y./Pine Bush), a strong defender with pace, is typically slotted in on the left side, providing both defensive stability and an attacking outlet. On the right, sophomore Jack Murphy (Blauvelt, N.Y./Tappan Zee) has begun to emerge as a steady presence, offering composure and effectiveness on both ends of the field. The Cardinals have also leaned on senior Tony Kochelev (Staten Island, N.Y./Curtis), regarded as one of the team's best on-ball defenders.

In goal, the Cardinals have seamlessly found their next emerging standout in sophomore Matthew D'Ippolito (Baldwin Place, N.Y./Somers). In his first season as the team's starting goalkeeper, D'Ippolito has firmly secured the role, posting an impressive 0.78 goals-against average while starting all 17 games and recording 10 wins between the posts.

In his eighth season at the helm, head coach Chris Taylor is guiding the Cardinals to their fifth SUNYAC Tournament appearance under his leadership. Taylor has reached the semifinals in two of his last three playoff runs, with his best coming in 2019, when Plattsburgh State earned the No. 2 seed and advanced to the championship game, ultimately falling to Oneonta.

ABOUT THE BLUE DEVILS: Fredonia (7-6-4, 4-4-1) will travel to Plattsburgh to play them for the second time this year, after defeating the Cardinals on Sept. 20th, 1-0. The team has totalled 31 goals scored averaging 9.9 shots per game on the year, while having allowed 20 goals allowing on average 11.5 shots per game. 

The Blue Devils have four goal scorers this season who have each totaled three or more goals. Fredonia's attack is led by Chance LaCroix, who has amassed 16 points on five goals and six assists. The Blue Devils' defense will be anchored by Ryan Ameis, whose unit has allowed just three conference goals on the road this year; Ameis has also contributed three goals offensively. In goal, Thomas McDonald will get the start for Fredonia. He has started 15 games this season, recording seven wins while posting a 1.16 goals-against average.

Head coach PJ Gondek, in his 26th year as a collegiate coach, will look to guide his team, an underdog sixth seed on a deep run in the conference playoffs. With his experience and leadership, Gondek aims to turn the Blue Devils into a team that no opponent can overlook.

WHAT'S NEXT: The winner of the Plattsburgh State vs. Fredonia matchup will advance to face the second-seeded Buffalo State Bengals, who are currently ranked 36th nationally and third in Region III.
On the other side of the bracket, the winner of fourth-seeded New Paltz vs. fifth-seeded Oneonta will move on to play top-seeded Cortland.