PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — On a crisp November afternoon at the Field House Complex, postseason soccer returned to Plattsburgh as the third-seeded Cardinals hosted sixth-seeded Fredonia in the first round of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Tournament. Despite controlling the run of play for much of the afternoon, Plattsburgh State saw its season come to a heartbreaking end with a 1-0 loss to the Blue Devils. 

The Cardinals, who entered the postseason in search of their ninth SUNYAC title and first since 2013, dictated the majority of possession and tempo from start to finish. Plattsburgh State's patient, possession-based approach kept the Blue Devils pinned in their defensive half for long stretches, though clear scoring chances were limited in the opening period. The Cardinals outshot Fredonia, 4-1, in the first 45 minutes and did not allow a single shot on target.

In the second half, Plattsburgh State continued to press forward in search of a breakthrough, while Fredonia sat deeper defensively and appeared content to absorb pressure. The Cardinals generated several high-quality scoring opportunities, including two dangerous looks from first-years Robbie Kapovic (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills East) and Declan Gallagher (LaGrangeville, N.Y./Arlington), but were denied each time by Fredonia goalkeeper Thomas McDonald, who delivered a standout performance with six saves on the day.

While the Blue Devils' attack was largely stifled, they capitalized on one of their few set-piece opportunities late in the match. In the 81st minute, Fredonia converted on a corner kick, its only shot on goal of the contest, as Ryan Ameis found the back of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Plattsburgh State threw numbers forward in the closing minutes, creating a flurry of late chances in a desperate push for an equalizer, but McDonald and the Fredonia back line held firm to seal the upset victory.

With the result, Fredonia advances to the SUNYAC semifinals and will travel to face second-seeded Buffalo State on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The Cardinals conclude their 2025 campaign with a 10-3-5 overall record and a 5-2-2 mark in SUNYAC play.