Cardinal Clips: Issue 9

By Collin Bolebruch

Four men’s soccer players named to All-SUNYAC team

The State University of New York Athletic Conference announced its annual awards Wednesday, featuring four Plattsburgh State Cardinals among all-conference selections. Four selections is the most Plattsburgh was awarded in a single season since its runner-up finish in 2019.

Seniors John Hayes, midfielder, and Brian Coughlan, center back, were named to the First Team. Senior goalkeeper Teddy Hayes was honored on the Second Team and graduate midfielder Thomas O’Neill earned Third Team.

Hayes finishes his career with four all-conference selections, including three Third Team nods. He was the offensive nucleus for the Cardinals this season, posting career highs of 16 goals and 34 points. Hayes had three braces, including one in the playoffs, and finished the season on a five-game scoring streak.

Coughlan adds his third All-SUNYAC honor — after consecutive Second Team selections — in his first full season as a defender. Leading the team in minutes with 1,600, he helmed a defense that finished second in goals against average with 0.82 and goals allowed with 15. Coughlan also tallied four goals and three assists.

Healy enjoyed a career year for his first selection. Starting 17 of 18 games, he posted nine shutouts and allowed just three goals at home all season. Healy finished with 37 saves, a 0.725 save percentage and an 11-2-4 record.

O’Neill, a transfer from New Paltz, was a much-needed all-around boost for Plattsburgh in his first All-SUNYAC season. O’Neill scored two goals — both game-winners — and had two assists in his final year.

Haley earns second career all-conference nod

The State University of New York Athletic Conference released its annual awards Thursday, which included Plattsburgh State senior goalkeeper Lauren Haley on the All-SUNYAC Third Team.

This is the second career selected for Haley, who was named to the First Team last season. She was active in the box for 15 starts this season, saving 70 balls for a 0.729 save percentage. Haley posted six shoutouts, including three to end the season, and led a defense that averaged 1.88 goals against.

Women’s hoops starts 0-1

Plattsburgh State women’s basketball dropped its season opener, losing 48-57 to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on the road last Friday.

Senior guard/forward Payton Couture and junior center Imani Walcott both recorded double-doubles, the 10th and 13th of their respective careers.

Couture posted 19 points and 10 rebounds on 50% shooting. Walcott had 16 points and 10 rebounds, adding four steals and two blocks.

Just two other players logged a point: Sophomore guard Julia Greek dropped seven and junior guard Jaden Wilson had six. Both also added six rebounds and Greek had three steals.

Plattsburgh led for most of the first half and went up by 10 points. 

RPI regained the league with 1:41 left in the half and never lost it.

After scoring 21 in the first quarter, Plattsburgh posted periods of eight, seven and 12.

Plattsburgh hosts the Holiday Inn Express Cardinal Classic this weekend, facing VTSU Castleton tonight at 5:30 p.m. and Utica tomorrow at 3 p.m. Saturday will serve as the program’s 50th anniversary celebration, with 21 alumnae RSVPed

Philips selected for exclusive NCAA communications program

Caleb Philips, director of athletic communications, was one of 30 athletics staff selected nationally to participate in the Division III Athletic Communications Emerging Elite Program. He will visit the NCAA national Office in Indianapolis, Indiana from Dec. 9 to 10.