PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – In the semi-final round of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) tournament on Wednesday, The College at Brockport men's lacrosse team was narrowly edged by Plattsburgh State, 8-7.
The Golden Eagles likely finish the 2017 season with a record of 8-6 while the Cardinals advance to the SUNYAC Championship with a mark of 11-5.
Brockport mounted a second half charge, netting four goals to pull within one in the final minutes of play. Despite several good looks, the Golden Eagles couldn't overpower Plattsburgh and complete the comeback.
The Green and Gold found themselves trailing early, as the Cardinals netted a goal at the nine-minute mark in the opening frame.
Jake Giudice worked in the equalizer with four-minutes left in the quarter, but a last second goal from Cardinals sent Brockport into the second stanza trailing 2-1.
After a quick Plattsburgh goal to open the second,
Matt Malecki found the back of the cage to pull back within one. Brockport saw the Cardinals add a pair of goals, but had the final say of the half, as Giudice connected with
Mark Robinson to make the count at the half 5-3.
Plattsburgh added a pair of goals to open the third, but
Michael Caternolo connected at the 2:57 mark, pulling the Golden Eagles within three.
In the final frame, Brockport outscored their counterparts 3-1, with
Jake Recor getting things started, burying a Giudice assist. At the 8:42 mark, Plattsburgh added a goal, but the Golden Eagles fought to post two scores to close the contest. Giudice buried a Robinson pass, taking advantage of a man-up opportunity. At the 3:31 mark, Giudice did it again, this time connecting with
Kieran Fitzgerald to claw to within one. The Golden Eagles couldn't find the back of the cage despite several looks, falling 8-7.
It was a tight contest through and through, with the Golden Eagles edging their opponents in shots, 32-31 and the Green and Gold going a perfect 17-for-17 on clears. Brockport forced 15 Cardinal turnovers and picked up eight faceoff wins.
Five different Golden Eagles accounted for a caused turnover, with
Colin Blind,
Pat Quinlivan,
Steven Gurin,
Joe Mikiciuk and Fitzgerald each picking up a CT. Caternolo, who won seven face offs, also snagged five ground balls, while
Zach Cook picked up four.
Dallas Meyers saw all 60 minutes of action in the cage for the Green and Gold, making nine saves.
For his performance, Giudice was named to the SUNYAC All-Tournament team.
The Golden Eagles will look to earn an at-large bid into the NCAA National Tournament, with the announcement made by the NCAA on May 7 at 9 p.m.
Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Golden Eagle scores and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.
