COBLESKILL, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's soccer team entered the final week of regular-season action unbeaten in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play after a six-point week, earning victories over Canton and Morrisville. With a postseason berth already secured, the Cardinals traveled to SUNY Cobleskill looking to maintain their position atop the SUNYAC East Division standings and secure a bye to the SUNYAC Semifinals.
Plattsburgh wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, as senior forward Xavier Kamba (Nyack, N.Y./Nyack) opened the scoring in the fourth minute off a backheel flick through ball from senior forward Tristan Laundree (Keeseville, N.Y./AuSable Valley). The Cardinals doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute when Kamba returned the favor, setting up Laundree with a through ball that split the Cobleskill center backs to make it 2-0.
The Cardinals carried their two-goal lead into halftime before erupting for three goals in a span of less than three minutes early in the second half. First-year forward Oliver Filip extended the lead to 3-0 in the 47th minute, finishing a ball after it came off the goalkeeper's hands following a setup from sophomore midfielder Nicholas Espitia (Brentwood, N.Y./Brentwood). Just over a minute later, Kamba scored his second goal of the afternoon, receiving a through ball down the middle from Laundree to make it 4-0. Senior midfielder Michael Rodriguez (Jefferson Valley, N.Y./Lakeland) capped the early second-half surge in the 49th minute, capitalizing on a rebound after his initial shot was saved, with Filip providing the assist.
Plattsburgh continued to apply pressure throughout the second half, adding three more goals to secure the commanding victory. First-year forward Ethan Kyle (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge) scored in the 75th minute off a throw-in from junior defender Jack Murphy (Blauvelt, N.Y./Tappan Zee) before sophomore forward Robbie Kapovic (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills East) headed home Murphy's second assist of the afternoon in the 82nd minute. Kyle added his second goal of the game in the 88th minute, finishing a cutback pass from sophomore forward Rocco Ruscitto (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Rye Neck) to round out the scoring.
The Cardinals controlled the match from start to finish, outshooting the Tigers 29-3, including a 16-1 advantage in shots on goal. Plattsburgh also held a 3-1 edge in corner kicks, while its defense limited Cobleskill to just one shot on target.
With the victory, the Cardinals improve to 9-3-3 overall and 6-0-1 in conference play, solidifying their position in the race for the No. 1 seed in the SUNYAC East Division and a potential bye to the conference semifinals. Plattsburgh State returns to action Saturday, Oct. 24, wrapping up conference play at home against Cortland in a pivotal matchup with the overall No. 1 seed in the SUNYAC Tournament on the line.
