CORTLAND, N.Y.- The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) crowned Plattsburgh St. as it's men's lacrosse champion for the first time in history.  The Cardinals defeated the Cortland Red Dragons 10-6 on Saturday afternoon at the Stadium Complex in Cortland, N.Y. 

The first half of the contest was relatively low-scoring, as Plattsburgh maintained a 4-3 lead after two quarters with goals from Callahan, Hubbard, Carroll, and Heimbuch. For the Red Dragons, Hart, Beresovoy, and Phelps found the back of the net in the first half.

In the second half, the Cardinals built on their lead and never looked back.  Ryan Callahan and Jake Carroll each added another goal and Ryan Hubbard brought his game total to three for Plattsburgh. Mike Gay also found the back of the net for the Cardinals. In the net, Austin Graham stopped thirteen of the nineteen shots that he faced while Joe Scalise blocked six of sixteen scoring attempts. 

Cortland's latter half was quiet.  The Red Dragons were only able to tack on three more goals, with Devin Phelps and Nate Beresovoy bringing their totals to two and Thomas McNaney adding one.  

The story of how the game was won can certainly be told when looking at penalties.  The Red Dragons committed five infractions, and the Cardinals were able to capitalize on two of these man-up opportunities.  Plattsburgh, conversely, was able to play a clean game, only committing one penalty throughout.  

This victory marks Plattsburgh's first SUNYAC championship in men's lacrosse.  The program has battled through its nineteen-year history and finally staked its claim at the top.  The Cardinals now hold an automatic bid for the NCAA tournament that will take place May 28 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. 

The SUNYAC also presented its Elite 20 award for men's lacrosse to Alex Tocco of Plattsburgh.  The award honors an individual student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average competing at the finals site of each of its 20 championships and is modeled after the NCAA's Elite 90 program.  

SUNYAC MEN'S LACROSSE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM