NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Senior forward Nicholas Laurent (New City, N.Y./Clarkstown South) scored two goals to lift the Plattsburgh State men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over SUNY New Paltz on Saturday afternoon at the South Turf Field in State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) action.
 
The win helps the Cardinals stay in the thick of the SUNYAC playoff race, as they currently hold sole possession of third in the SUNYAC standings with nine points.
 
Plattsburgh State rises to 9-4-0 overall (3-2-0 SUNYAC) with the win and next hosts Buffalo State on Friday, Oct. 13, at 3 p.m. at the Field House Complex. New Paltz drops to 5-8-0 overall (1-5-0 SUNYAC) with the loss and next visits SUNY Oneonta on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m.
 
The Cardinals wasted no time getting on the board, scoring on a throw-in just 1:12 into the game. Senior defender Jah-heem Lawitz (Albany, N.Y./Albany) launched a ball from the right sideline that found the head of sophomore defender Joe Gula (New Market, Md./Oakdale), and Gula flicked it on to Laurent, who finished right in front of the goal.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Kiernan Kirby (East Northport, N.Y./Northport) came up with a big stop in the 23rd minute to keep the Hawks off the board. New Paltz played a ball in from the left wing, and the Hawks' freshman midfielder Kevin Doorley sent a header shot marked for the back of the net. Kirby then sprang into action, punching the shot away with his right hand.
 
Finally, in the 76th minute, the Cardinals added a much-needed insurance goal, as Laurent scored on a feed from junior forward Chris Robertson (Thiells, N.Y./St. Joseph Regional [N.J.] that went across the six-yard box.
 
New Paltz finished with a 14-13 edge in shots, while Plattsburgh State held an 8-6 advantage in corners.
 
Kirby made three stops in the shutout win for the Cardinals, while senior goalkeeper John Guzzo turned aside five shots in the loss for the Hawks.