With conference games winding down, the Plattsburgh State women’s soccer team found themselves in and out of playoff contention as they loss to Fredonia and beat Buffalo State last weekend.
Looking to rebound after two straight losses, the Cardinals (6-6-1, 2-3-1 SUNYAC) battled it out against the Blue Devils (6-6-1, 3-2-1 SUNYAC) Friday afternoon. Just over one minute into play the scoring began when Fredonia’s Alexis Moreland capitalized off of Fredonia’s Katie Kleine’s cross and earned her fourth goal of the season.
Moreland’s goal would stand as the lone score of the night and PSUC lost its hold on a playoff spot. Cards freshman Madeline Saccocio said that the early goal put the team in a hole that was tough to get out of and the team needs to work on playing both halves.
The scoring chances were being created by the Cards as they tallied 19 shots, six on goal, compared to Fredonia who fired off 10 shots, four on goal. Saccocio believes that PSUC definitely dominated the game but simply couldn’t finish.
“I think sometimes we look for the perfect opportunity for goals and a goal is a goal no matter if it’s pretty or not,” Saccocio said. “I think we need to be less picky about our goals because we dominated the game but sometimes the better team doesn’t always win.”
A rain-filled Saturday afternoon wouldn’t dampen the Cards’ spirits on their Senior Day as they took on Buffalo State (6-7-2, 3-4-0 SUNYAC). This time it would be PSUC who would score early in the game as they saw two goals within the first five minutes from Saccocio and Ashlie Guinness.
Cards head coach Tania Armellino said that this game was a must win for her team to stay alive as playoff contenders, and the team performed fantastically.
Freshman Lindsey Bushey continued the scoring for PSUC in the 62nd minute when she buried a 35-yard free kick for her 10th goal of the season. The Bengals would respond with a goal of their own in the 82nd minute from Micky Tinnerman.
The Cards’ fourth and final goal came four minutes later. Junior Cassidy Clavet tallied her fourth goal of the season off of a 30-yard free kick, giving the team a 4-1 victory. With the win, they are currently tied for fourth in the SUNYAC. Clavet said the win was absolutely huge for the team and set them up for success this weekend.
“Senior Day had a huge pull on the win because everybody came out pumped up and ready to go,” Clavet said. “Starting off the game with more intensity and more of an urge to score first was the difference maker.”
PSUC will hit the road for their final two SUNYAC games as they take on Geneseo (12-2-2, 5-1-1 SUNYAC) on Friday and Brockport (8-5-1, 2-4-1 SUNYAC) on Saturday. The team has not had success in its two road games during conference play, losing both. Armellino said her team knows that it is a road trip and understands exactly what needs to be done to earn the win.
“I know they are both very good and are also fighting for playoff spots and battling,” Armellino said. “That’s where we can make that difference and get in there and earn our spot in that tournament. They deserve that spot and I want them to get it.”
Email Alex Reynolds at alex.reynolds@cardinalpointsonline.com.
