Cortland State's Jordan Ott (1) with the save on the sliding shot from Plattsburgh State's Jacob McGowan (10). PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — The SUNY Plattsburgh Cardinals ended a 14-year wait for a conference crown Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 18 Cortland 2-1 at the Plattsburgh State Field House Complex to claim their first SUNYAC regular-season championship since 2012 and secure the No. 1 seed in the tournament. With the conference title and home-field advantage on the line, the Cardinals overcame a physical battle and, down to one man, played the final 38 minutes to earn one of the program's biggest victories in recent memory. Plattsburgh struck first in the 31st minute when Robbie Kapovic scored his fourth goal of the season, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 advantage. The hosts doubled their lead just before halftime when a Cortland defender accidentally redirected the ball into his own net in the 44th minute, sending Plattsburgh into the break with a 2-0 lead. The intensity only increased after halftime. Despite being reduced to 10 men after a red card, the Cardinals kept defending aggressively against the nationally ranked Red Dragons. Cortland finally broke through in the 81st minute when Owen Brant netted his ninth goal of the season, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and setting up a tense finish. However, Plattsburgh's defense held firm over the closing minutes to secure the victory and the championship. Goalkeeper Matthew Dippolito was instrumental, turning aside nine shots to preserve the lead. Cortland goalkeeper Jordan Ott finished with two saves. The contest's physical nature was evident throughout the afternoon. The Red Dragons received two yellow cards, while the Cardinals got two yellow cards and one red card in a hard-fought battle between the conference's top teams. With the victory, Plattsburgh clinched its first SUNYAC regular-season championship since 2012, earning the tournament's No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. Cortland also earned a first-round bye, and both teams will host SUNYAC semifinal contests on Nov. 4. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Matthew D'Ippolito makes a diving save on the penalty kick, preventing a Cardinal victory.Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Michael Rodriquez (9) with the shot from outside the box on the set play from the direct kick. PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Tristan Laundree recorded a hat trick as the Plattsburgh State Cardinals defeated the Canton Kangaroos 4-0 in SUNYAC men's soccer action Wednesday afternoon. The Cardinals entered the match at 6-3-3 overall and 3-0-1 in conference play and quickly established control. Laundree opened the scoring in the 10th minute with his fourth goal of the season, then added his fifth moments later to put Plattsburgh State up 2-0. The Cardinals continued their offensive surge when Jacob McGowan found the back of the net in the 16th minute, extending the lead to 3-0 before halftime. Plattsburgh State added another in the second half when Laundree completed the hat trick in the 60th minute, scoring his sixth goal of the season to cap the 4-0 win. Defensively, the Cardinals were dominant, with goalkeepers Logan Verissimo and Matthew D'Ippolito combining for the shutout. Canton goalkeeper Jason Vela played well despite the loss, stopping nine shots on goal. With the win, Plattsburgh State improved to 7-3-3 overall and 4-0-1 in SUNYAC play, while Canton fell to 1-11-2. The Cardinals return to action Oct. 17 when they travel to face the Morrisville State Mustangs. The Kangaroos will also be back in action Oct. 17 when they visit the Oswego State Lakers. Gallery

Canton's Winnie Simpson (12) slides in a tackle on Plattsburgh State's Erick Vargas (5) to break up a scoring chance. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Robbie Kapovic (18) with the sliding tackle on Oneonta's Milton Mancias Magana (10) to breakup the play. The Plattsburgh State Cardinals opened the home portion of their SUNYAC schedule Saturday afternoon in front of 175 fans, battling the nationally ranked No. 23 Oneonta State Red Dragons to a thrilling 2-2 draw. Coming into the match with a 4-3-2 record, the Cardinals faced a difficult challenge against the undefeated Red Dragons, who entered the contest at 7-0-1. Plattsburgh answered the challenge early, taking the lead in the 16th minute when Michael Rodriguez scored his second goal of the season. Rodriguez's strike gave the Cardinals a 1-0 advantage and energized the home crowd. The Cardinals held the lead for much of the first half before Oneonta found the equalizer late in the period. Milton Macias Magana netted his first goal of the season to pull the Red Dragons even at 1-1. The score remained tied through the remainder of the half as the teams headed into intermission deadlocked. Oneonta came out of the break with renewed energy and grabbed its first lead of the afternoon in the 58th minute when Drew Lennon scored his first goal of the season, putting the Red Dragons ahead 2-1. Plattsburgh responded quickly. Just three minutes later, in the 61st minute, Esteban Loaiza found the back of the net to tie the match at 2-2. The equalizer shifted momentum back to the Cardinals and set up an exciting final half hour. Neither team was able to find the game-winning goal despite several quality opportunities over the closing stages of the match. Both defenses stood strong as the contest finished in a 2-2 draw. With the result, Plattsburgh moves to 4-3-3 overall on the season. Goalkeeper Matthew D'Ippolito turned in a strong performance, recording seven saves. The Cardinals will return to action on Wednesday when they host the SUNY Delhi Broncos. Oneonta remains unbeaten and improves to 7-0-2. Goalkeeper James Cintron made one save for the Red Dragons. Oneonta will also be back in action Wednesday when it travels back to the North Country to face the Potsdam State Bears. The draw marked another impressive result for Plattsburgh, which showed resilience against one of the SUNYAC's top teams and a nationally ranked opponent. Gallery

Oneonta's Drew Lennon (31) and Plattsburgh State's Michael Rodriquez (9) battle for the ball at midfeild as they look to gain the advantage. Gallery

Oneonta State's AJ Lucas (gk) with the one-hand save that he sends over the net for the save. The Plattsburgh State Cardinals would return home after an extended road trip and take on a SUNYAC foe like the #22 Oneonta State Red Dragons as they battle at the league's top. The teams would go back and forth throughout the first half of the game, with both teams having their chance to get the opening goal, but there would be no score in the first half. When the teams returned for the second half, the Cardinals would break the ice in the 75th minute on Brian Coughlan's third goal to make it a 1-0 game. It wouldn't take long for the Cardinals to extend their lead to 2-0 on Modou Badjie's second goal of the season in the 78th minute. From there, the Cardinals would stand tall, hold on for the 2-0 win, and improve their record to 7-1-3, while the Oneonta State Red Dragons would fall to 7-2-3. The Cardinals will return to action this Saturday as they trek across the state and take on the Buffalo State Bengals. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Santiago Vargas (7) battles in the corner with a pair of Oneonta State defenders in the attack zone.Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Tristan Laundree (2) splits a pair of Fredonia midfielders as he goes on the attack for his second goal of the game. The #17 Plattsburgh State Cardinals would open up conference play at home against the Fredonia State Blue Devils on homecoming weekend with 200 fans in attendance. The home Cardinals would get the opening goal of the match in the 16th minute from John Hayes his eighth of the season to make it a 1-0 game. Then just four minutes later in the 20th minute the Cardinals would expand on the lead and make it a 2-0 game on Tristan Laundree's third of the season and that's where the game would stay til the teams entered the half. When the teams returned for the second half the Blue Devils would come out on fire and get on the board in the 51st minute on Frederick Butler's second goal of the season. From there though the Cardinals' defense would be in shutdown mode and they would hold on for the 2-1 victory. In the winning effort, the Cardinals goalkeeper would make 2 saves as they stayed undefeated at 6-0-2. The Cardinals will return home next weekend as they continue in conference play against the Morrisville State Mustangs. Gallery

Plattsburgh State's Xavier Kamba (17) takes it one on one with the Fredonia State defender outside the 18-yard box. Gallery