The Plattsburgh State lacrosse team ended the regular season with a home game against Oswego and started their postseason on the road against Brockport.
In a hard-fought and close game throughout facing Brockport, the Cards (8-8, 4-2 SUNYAC) came up short in the first game of the playoffs with a 7-6 loss to the Golden Eagles. The first time these two teams played each other, it ended with the Cards losing, 11-10.
In their game against Brockport, the Cards jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with goals from senior attackman Patrick Nash and sophomore attackman Ryan Hubbard, but the team lost its edge, allowing Brockport to score four unanswered goals in the first and second quarter. Before halftime, however, PSUC tied the game thanks to goals by junior attackman and midfielder Austin Belz and junior midfielder Mike Gay.
In the second half, the Cards interchanged goals with the Golden Eagles. Senior attackman Brendan Damm and Gay helped even the score at 5-5 and 6-6, but in the fourth quarter, Brockport was able to score the game winner, allowing them to advance to the SUNYAC championship.
Despite the Cards being eliminated from the playoffs, they still had a successful season, and their prior game against Oswego saw the seniors win one last game in Plattsburgh on senior day, as PSUC defeated the Lakers, 10-4.
Head coach Joe May said the team was prepared against Oswego, which allowed them to capture the victory.
“We looked for matchups that we could possibly expose,” May said. “We scouted them deeply.”
Senior attackman and midfielder Brendan Damm said although he didn’t know how to feel about playing his last game in Plattsburgh, he was focused on helping the team secure the win.
“It was crazy. I have been watching senior day for couple years now, and it’s weird that I am now in that position,” Damm said. “We wanted to get the win and be the three seed and face Brockport, but at the same time, it was nice to get the win.”
May said all the seniors got playing time due to all their effort throughout the season.
“We played most of our seniors a lot because they have been working hard for us for four years,” May said.
The Cards started the game hot against the Lakers, outscoring them 8-2 in the first half. Both teams tallied one goal in the third and fourth quarter making the score 10-4, but the scoring outburst put on by the Cards in the first half put the game out of reach for the Lakers.
Midfielder Peter Ciacelli said the team was clicking when they outscored the Lakers 8-2.
“All year, we have been talking about playing a complete game from start to finish when we are out there, and we showed it against Oswego,” Ciacelli said. “We showed that our defense can stop a team from scoring, and our offense can score at will.”
May said the enthusiasm of the team and of those in attendance helped the Cards win.
“The bench, the team and everyone brought the energy,” May said. “It was a great atmosphere that helped us come out of the game strong.”
Email Adonys Temple at adonys.temple@cardinalpointsonline.com
