PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's lacrosse team defeated Norwich 18-8 in non-conference action in its home opener. The Cardinal offense featured four multi-goal scorers, led by junior attacker Peter Urso (Bay Shore, N.Y. / Bay Shore), who totaled six points on five goals and an assist.

Junior attacker Dylan Ruland (Medford, N.Y. / Patchogue Medford) added three goals and two assists for five points, while junior attacker Jamie Gipe (Baldwinsville, N.Y. / C.W. Baker) scored four times and collected a game-high six ground balls. Sophomore midfielder Steven Fenner (Pequannock, N.J. / Pequannock) posted a hat trick. Sophomore faceoff specialist Owen O'Hara (Tappan, N.Y. / Tappan Zee) and first-year specialist Nick Arcuri (Whitesboro, N.Y. / Whitesboro) were strong at the faceoff X, winning eight and six faceoffs, respectively. Junior goalie Cole Orehosky (Hauppauge, N.Y. / Hauppauge) made 11 saves in 60 minutes, improving to 2-0 in net.

For the Cadets, Case MacDonald led the way with four points on three goals and an assist. Jackson Forbes scored twice, and James Raymond dished out two assists. Ryan Magaru won a game-high 11 faceoffs and picked up five ground balls. Mason Dils recorded 15 saves in 60 minutes, taking the loss.

Plattsburgh outshot Norwich 51-33. Norwich held a slight edge in faceoffs (15-14) and ground balls (35-31). The Cardinals went 19-21 on clears, while the Cadets finished 17-24. Both teams scored once in four extra-man chances.

Plattsburgh opened the first quarter with three straight goals. Fenner beat his defender 1 on 1 and scored low left at 12:57. Urso followed with back-to-back goals from behind GLE, circling the crease both times. Norwich answered with two goals, including its lone man-up tally, to make it 3-2 after one.

The second quarter was all Plattsburgh as Gipe's goal at 14:33 started a five-goal run, capped by Lucas Longhitano (Lake George, N.Y. / Queensbury) at 1:49 to make it 8-2. Ruland added a late unassisted goal, sending the Cardinals into halftime up 9-3.

Gipe scored twice to open the third, and Ruland finished a feed from Brayden Shattuck (Queensbury, N.Y. / Queensbury) at 7:19 to extend the advantage to 13-3. Norwich answered with a 3-1 run to close the quarter, cutting the deficit to 14-6 entering the fourth.

The Cardinals pulled away with three straight goals from Fenner, Ruland, and Urso, extending the lead to 17-6 with 11:16 remaining. After two Norwich goals, Tatum Cipp (Bellport, N.Y. / Bellport) spun past his defender and scored the final goal to seal the 18-8 victory.

With the win, Plattsburgh State improves to 2-0 and returns to action next Wednesday, Mar. 4, against Curry at Russell Sage. Opening faceoff is set for 4 p.m.