Cardinal Clips: Issue 3

By Mikai Bruce and Michael Purtell

WSOC

The Plattsburgh Cardinals women’s soccer team (2-3-3, SUNYAC 0-1-2) notched its second SUNYAC tie, 0-0, against the Brockport Golden Eagles (8-2-1, SUNYAC 1-1-1) Sept. 23. This tie was disheartening, differing from its stalemate with the Potsdam Bears. Although a loss won’t go on its record, the mood at the game could have passed for one.

Throughout the game, Brockport dominated Plattsburgh. Brockport’s bench was noticeably more lively than Plattsburgh. Brockport finished the game with 17 shots compared to Plattsburgh’s four. Brockport controlled this game from start to finish. 

The game was physical. Players bumped stride-for-stride as they tried to get possession of the ball. The saving grace for this game was undoubtedly goalkeeper Lauren Haley. Amidst Brockport’s aggression, her confidence never wavered, finishing the game with six saves. She was in the right place at the right time, saving Plattsburgh from adding another defeat to the loss column. 

Plattsburgh then faced off against New Paltz Hawks (6-3-1, SUNYAC 2-0-0), losing 0-2 Sept. 27. Once again, it was outshot and outhustled. 

In the first half alone, New Paltz had more shots, with 14, than Plattsburgh did for the entire game, with eight. The shot battle ended 8-22 in the Hawks’ favor. A lack of aggression has plagued Plattsburgh in its recent games. 

Haley matched her career high in saves, saving 9 of 22 shots. Haley’s goalkeeping heroics weren’t enough to survive New Paltz’s attack. This loss drops Plattsburgh to a record of 2-3-3 and 0-1-2 in the SUNYAC as it tries to bounce back on the road against the Oswego Lakers (4-1-3, SUNYAC 1-0-1) Sept. 30.

XC

The Plattsburgh State Cardinals cross country teams both took second place in the Ronald C. Hoffman invitational hosted by St. Lawrence Saturday, Sept. 23. The Cardinals finished the men’s 8k with 51 points and the women’s 6k with 44. The only team to finish ahead of it was St. Lawrence.

In the men’s 8k, Noah Bonesteel was Plattsburgh’s first finisher. He earned a fourth overall finish with a time of 26:39. Finishing fifth was Graham Richard with a time of 26:48.

Jeremy Gundrum (17th, 27:21), Michael Brockway (18th, 27:28), Justin Kumrow (23rd, 27:52), Erik Kucera (25th, 28:22) and Sean Grady (41st, 30:26) made up the rest of the scoring finishers.

In the women’s 6k, Marissa Colvin was the first over the finish line for the Cardinals. She scored a 5th place finish with a time of 24:28. Not far behind her was Sarah Smith and Ginny Lucchetti, who finished next to each other at 13th and 14th place with times of 25:40 and 25:44 respectively.

Rounding out the top seven finishers was Lillian Moran (17th, 25:54), Kayla Grant (21st, 27:11), Sophia Gambino (23rd, 27:36), and Jaylee Southwell (26th, 28:21).

Athletes who returned to this St. Lawrence course saw great improvement to their personal records. Colvin, Smith, and Lucchetti all posted improved times from last year in the 6k. In the 8k, Bonesteel, Brockway, and Kumrow set new career bests.

Next, the Cardinals will travel out of state to Westfield Massachusetts to compete in the James Earley Invitational Saturday, Oct. 7.