By Collin Bolebruch
Chris Taylor is in his seventh year as head coach of Plattsburgh State men’s soccer. Last season, the Cardinals missed the playoffs after starting the season 7-0-4.
After the first weekend of SUNYAC soccer play, two teams stand at 1-0 — Plattsburgh State men and Plattsburgh State women.
OK, sure, just two games were played, but the Cardinals will top the standings for at least one whole week before conference play kicks off for everyone else.
Both teams played the Fredonia Blue Devils, with the men (6-0-2, 1-0) winning 2-1 at home and the women winning 1-0 on the road. The results may have been the same, but the victories come from two contrasting perspectives.
SUNYAC games are a new animal — they’re more intense, personal and meaningful, especially later in the season. Despite losing top dogs Brockport and Geneseo, the conference still looks like a gauntlet.
MEN
The No. 17 Plattsburgh State men entered the SUNYAC opener with the highest expectations since its last national ranking in 2016. The Cardinals have proved themselves outside of the conference, defeating two conference champions — Manhattanville 5-0 and Baruch 6-0 — and allowing four goals across seven games. In the win over the Blue Devils, the Cards showed their game translates.
Fredonia’s offensive numbers, including the league’s second-best mark of 22 goals, are impressive, but are somewhat inflated by an 8-0 win over winless Hilbert College. Fredonia’s four wins have all come from losing teams, and its overall goal differential on the year is zero. Postseason for the Blue Devils is still a season away.
To me, the Cardinals have proved to be serious contenders, joining Cortland (6-1-1) and Buffalo State (7-0-1) in a clear top three.
Cortland was ranked No. 2 in the nation to start the season and have since dropped to 10 after a loss to unranked Alvernia. The defending champs are still the team to beat in the conference, returning Offensive Player of the Year Mateo Marra, who has 18 points this season, and Rookie of the Year Jordan Ott. Plattsburgh hasn’t won the matchup since 2019, and until the two play Oct. 5, it looks like Cortland may repeat. I think the Red Dragons and Cardinals would make for an exciting final.
Buffalo State, through great recruiting, has become the school’s best team. Both Diego Rivera and Manu Prieto have scored eight goals this season. The Bengals have reached the semifinals in two of the last three seasons and this year could be featured in its first final since 1984. Buffalo State has scored 29 goals and allowed five on a schedule with two winning teams. The regular season will prove if this is the year the Bengals break through the ceiling.
With just one SUNYAC team possessing a losing record, the scramble for the last three spots will be chaotic. Undefeated Oswego (5-0-2), Oneonta (3-1-2), Potsdam (4-2-2), Fredonia and New Paltz (4-4-0). Oswego, Oneonta and Potsdam’s ability to keep games close makes me think they’ll fill out the playoffs. New Paltz stays in the race until the end.
Canton (2-6-1) and Morrisville (2-2-2) need more SUNYAC experience.
WOMEN
The Cardinal women were dead last in the conference before Saturday, having faced non-conference teams with a combined record of 25-8-7 (update all), including the nationally-ranked William Smith and The College of New Jersey, scoring just two goals in six games. The Cards shot on goal six times against Fredonia (4-4-0, 0-1) — three more than their best so far — and won the shots battle for the first time this year.
Fredonia isn’t easy pickings, either — I ranked the Blue Devils fourth before the season. Fredonia returned its SUNYAC Rookie of the Year Gabby Irwin, who is second in the league with nine points. Three of the Devils’ losses have been to teams with .500 or worse records, uncharacteristic of the roster’s talent.
The teams I am confident will land a playoff spot are Fredonia, Oswego (4-3) and the league favorites Cortland (2-2-3), New Paltz (5-2-1).
Cortland has had a difficult time turning wins in its non-conference schedule, but it has also played the No. 6 schools and two No. 3 schools, going 0-1-2 in those games. I think the reigning champs will be in the title game again despite losing four all-conference players.
New Paltz has enjoyed a better record in early play, with a lighter schedule, winning just one game over a team with a positive record. The Hawks return their Offensive Player of the Year Rachel Eisert, but she has only five points this season. I’m looking forward to seeing how the Hawks’ first conference game goes.
Oswego has a positive record so far, but sports a negative goal differential at nine to 12 and hasn’t beat a team with a positive record. The Lakers’ showings so far, including an 0-4 loss to St. Lawrence, hold them back from being a Cortland or New Paltz.
Teams in the playoff bubble include Buffalo State (3-5-0), Potsdam (2-6-0), Oneonta (0-4-1) and now Plattsburgh. Two teams fill out the rest of the bracket, and I think it will end up being Buffalo State, which has the league’s fifth-most points, and Potsdam, which has the second-most.
Canton (1-5-2) and Morrisville (0-3-2) still need another season of adjustment before making the postseason.
THIS WEEKEND
Tomorrow, men’s fans should turn their eyes to Oswego versus Oneonta, a great gauge of talent for both squads. The Red Dragons’ strong defense will be tested against an unbeaten Lakers team, and the winner takes a step ahead in the playoff race.
A matchup of New Paltz and Cortland should also be entertaining, and it will be great to see how the Hawks stand up to the best in the conference.
The Red Dragons and Hawks battle will be a bit more important on the women’s side, as it serves as a potential championship preview. If New Paltz plays a good game, and Cortland is caught off guard, it could take its first win over the Red Dragons since 2011.
Oswego against Oneonta and Potsdam against Buffalo State will have early say in who stands where in the postseason.
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