Clarkson Athletics

Potsdam, NY – Two second half goals broke a 1-1 halftime tie between Plattsburgh State and the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team as the Golden Knights came up short, 3-1, Wednesday afternoon at Clarkson Field, ending their winning streak at three games.

The Golden Knights, suffering their first loss of the season, fell to 3-1 overall while Plattsburgh moved to 2-1-1. Clarkson hosts Geneseo and Rochester this weekend.

In the opening minutes of Wednesday’s game, the Golden Knights decided to test the Plattsburgh keeper right away, taking a chance on a long direct kick just six minutes into the contest. Sophomore Nate Hazen (Dalton, MA) took a shot from approximately 35 yards out and placed it neatly in the top left corner of the goal over the hands of Plattsburgh goalie Andy Heighington. It was the first goal for the Knights against Plattsburgh since 2002, a span of 536 minutes, 49 seconds.

Plattsburgh started to control the game by possessing the ball in the midfield and in the Clarkson end, but was unable to get much offense under way thanks to junior outside back Justin White (Dewitt, NY), who always seemed to be in the right place to clear away and Cardinal chances. But after having a goal waved off because of an offside call off a direct kick with about 10 minutes to go in the half, Plattsburgh finally got on the scoreboard with less than six minutes remaining. Chris Taylor brought the ball into the corner near the top of the penalty box and sent a soaring kick to the other side where Matt Hamilton was waiting, putting his head on the ball and popping it over Clarkson keeper Saverino Spagnolo (Ottawa, ONT).

Plattsburgh continued to pressure the Knights in the second half as the team was rewarded back-to-back corner kicks. The Cardinals converted on the second corner when Chris Taylor sent the pass in to Danny Byrnes, who headed his attempt off the crossbar. The ball found its way to Anis Makaren, who volleyed the ball out of midair with a spin kick at 54:23.

The Cardinals tallied an insurance goal with just over 10 minutes to play when Gurtej Dhillon reversed the field to Matt Hamilton at the other side of the penalty box. Hamilton rocketed a shot to the other side of the net to give Plattsburgh a 3-1 edge.

Plattsburgh finished with a 15-10 edge in shots and a 5-4 lead in corner kicks. Heighington made four saves for the win for the Cardinals while Spagnolo made three saves for Clarkson.