Box Score Plattsburgh 3, Utica 2 OT - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (9/10/2011) – It was a back and forth battle that was decided by mere inches in overtime as the SUNY Plattsburgh men's soccer team overcame Utica College, 3-2, at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium Saturday afternoon. Plattsburgh's Pat Shaughnessy scored his second of two goals just 45 seconds into overtime to help the Cardinals (4-0) remain undefeated on the year.

The game's final goal came after a skirmish in the front of the net led to a shot by Shaugnessy which was stopped just inches past the goal line by UC sophomore goaltender Anthony Caruso (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow). The referee's decided to confer on the final goal and eventually determined that it was in fact past the goal line to give the Cardinals the victory.

Utica's Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) and DJ Ilebani (Abuja, Nigeria/Intl. School of Kenya) each netted a second half goal for the Pioneers, while Jonathon Peterson (Bedford, NH/New Hampton), Jonathan Wood (Derry, NH/Pinkerton) and Shane Ruffing (Rochester, NY/Westborough) were each credited with an assist on the day. Caruso finished the contest with three saves in net for UC.

After a scoreless first half, which saw the Pioneers out shoot the visitors 6-4, Plattsburgh came out of the gates hot in the second half when Mike Payne netted his second goal of the season from 35 yards out to put the Cardinals on top 1-0 just 32 seconds in.

As they did all afternoon, the Pioneers responded with a goal exactly nine minutes later when sophomore midfielder Kevin McAllister (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional) collected a loose ball, with the Plattsburgh goalie out of position, and ripped his team-best fifth goal of the season into the top left corner to knot the contest at 1-1.

Less than four minutes later the Cardinals got back on top when Shaugnessy scored his first goal of the game, just past Caruso's outstretched hands, and into the top left corner.

10:18 later junior midfielder DJ Ilebani (Abuja, Nigeria/Intl. School of Kenya) netted his first goal of the year to tie the score back up, this time at 2-2, with 21 minutes to play. The Pioneers second goal was started by Wood's free kick and it was tipped in the box by Ruffing, before Ilebani collected himself and drove the ball into the back of the net.

Both teams were held scoreless for the remainder of regulation and the Cardinal's did not waste any time in OT to deliver the victory.

Utica earned a 14-7 shot advantage on the day and the Pioneers had five corner kick opportunities as opposed to Plattsburgh's two.

UC (2-1) will now hit the road for the first time this season when it travels to Clarkson University on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest.

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