PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State men's lacrosse team entered Saturday's contest riding a two-game winning streak and looking to open conference play on a strong note at the Field House Soccer/Lacrosse Complex. Led by junior attacker Dylan Ruland (Medford, N.Y. / Patchogue-Medford), the Cardinals did just that, defeating the New Paltz Hawks 10-6 to begin State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) play. Ruland led all players with a game-high five points on three goals and two assists.

Junior attacker Peter Urso (Bay Shore, N.Y. / Bay Shore) also recorded a multi-goal performance, finishing with two goals and an assist. Jamie Gipe (Baldwinsville, N.Y. / C.W. Baker), Ethan Francey (Canton, N.Y. / Canton), and Tim Keenan (Poughquag, N.Y. / Arlington) each added a goal and an assist to contribute to the Cardinals' offense. At the faceoff X, sophomore Owen O'Hara (Tappan, N.Y. / Tappan Zee) won a career-high 11 faceoffs, while junior defender Fynn Whitlock (Middlebury, Vt. / Middlebury Union) led the defense with a team-high five ground balls. Junior goalie Cole Orehosky (Hauppauge, N.Y. / Hauppauge) made seven saves in the win.

For the Hawks, Finn Smith led the team with three points on two goals and an assist, while Colin Cleary added two goals. Brendon Lloyd won seven faceoffs, and Jacob Kenny made a game-high 18 saves in the loss.

Plattsburgh held advantages in shots, 48-24, faceoffs, 12-7, and ground balls, 40-29. The Cardinals were efficient on extra-man opportunities, going 3-for-4, while the Hawks finished 2-for-5. On clears, Plattsburgh went 21-for-27, while New Paltz finished 22-for-30.

The Cardinals controlled possession in the first half, holding New Paltz scoreless on just 14 shots while building a 4-0 lead.

Plattsburgh wasted no time getting on the board, as Keenan scored just 33 seconds into the game after creating space from his defender and ripping a shot from distance. Urso followed with a goal at the 10:37 mark, going coast-to-coast in transition to give the Cardinals a 2-0 advantage.

The Cardinals added two more goals in the second quarter, with Gipe finishing on the doorstep at 12:18 after beating his defender inside, and Francey converting on a man-up opportunity at 11:12. The remainder of the quarter was quiet, as Plattsburgh carried a 4-0 lead into halftime.

After Steven Fenner (Pequannock, N.J. / Pequannock) opened the third quarter scoring, New Paltz answered with back-to-back goals to pull within 5-2. Brayden Shattuck (Queensbury, N.Y. / Queensbury) ended the run with a goal at 7:22, but the Hawks responded again with consecutive goals, cutting the deficit to 6-4 with 2:28 remaining. Plattsburgh finished the third quarter strong, scoring two straight goals to extend their lead to 8-4 heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter saw an even battle, with both teams adding two goals apiece. Ruland recorded both of Plattsburgh's scores to seal a 10-6 victory for the Cardinals.

With the win, Plattsburgh State rises to 6‑2 (1‑0 SUNYAC) and will return to action Friday, Apr. 3, for a 2 p.m. opening faceoff at Oswego State.