PLATTSBURGH — Chris Waterbury, in his 25 years as head coach of the Plattsburgh State men's soccer team, has had plenty of big wins.
There, however, have been some devastating losses — none more than Saturday's penalty kick shootout loss to Brockport in the State University of New York Athletic Conference Tournament championship game at the Plattsburgh State Field House Soccer Complex.
The two teams played scoreless soccer through regulation and the two 10-minute overtime stanzas before it took a combined 28 penalty kicks for the second-seeded Golden Eagles (10-5-3) to emerge with an 11-10 win.
"We had great leadership today and the guys were into it," said Waterbury. "I know they are hurting right now and tired. That's because they put so much into it.
"I can't focus on the negatives because I'm so proud of the guys for how hard they played."
Brockport, winning its 10th SUNYAC title but since 1978, went first in the shootout and it finally ended when Mike Breman scored for the Golden Eagles and Brockport netminder Joe Marino made a save on the final Cardinal shooter.
Prior to that, each team had scored on its previous seven shooters.
Brockport nearly won it at the end of the first five-shooter session when Marino made a save on Mike Pinamonti's shot, which would have given the Golden Eagles a 3-2 win. But, Marino was called for leaving his line too early and Pinamonti made no mistake on his second try.
"Every player was prepared mentally and physically," Waterbury said. "We had the right people at the right time. There was no second guessing and everyone worked hard.
"But, it was a cruel ending."
The game officially goes into the books as a tie, but that is little consolation to the Cardinals (13-2-5), who lost out on the automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament and now has only what seems to be a slim hope of making the tournament as an at-large team. They will learn of their fate tonight.
"We have a chance, but it is completely out of our hands," Waterbury said. "We have to hope all the top seeds win their tournaments and that will be the best thing to happen for us.
"It, however, will still be a long shot to get in. I'm really struggling right now — I feel bad for the guys and pray they get a second life. No question, it's a tough loss. It's a tie, but we didn't advance."
The top-seeded Cardinals, who came in ranked 20th in the nation, had the better of play and finished with a 19-6 shot advantage, including a 10-2 edge in the second half, and a 10-6 margin in corner kicks.
But, Plattsburgh State, despite several great scoring chances, couldn't find the back of the net as Brockport's defense, led by tournament Most Valuable Player Marino, held up. Marino ended up with nine saves in regulation and the two overtimes.
Andy Heighington stopped four shots in the Plattsburgh State nets and also played well.
The Cards' Pinamonti, John LoGuirato and David Hickman were chosen to the all-tournament team.
The Cardinals had advanced to the finals with Friday's 1-0 win over Oneonta, while Brockport was a 1-0 winner over Geneseo in the other semifinal.
—
Brockport 0, Plattsburgh 0, OT
(Brockport wins shootout 11-10)
Brockport 0 0 0 0 — 0
Plattsburgh 0 0 0 0 — 0
Shots: Plattsburgh 19, Brockport 6.
Saves: Marino, Brock, 9. Heighington, PSU, 4.
Sports
PSU men lose on penalty kicks
- Local Sports
-
-
Former Seton Catholic standout Hartung headed to NCAAs
Former Seton Catholic standout Genna Hartung qualified for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships as a member of the Cornell team.
-
Cards sweep, throw no-hitter in CVBL action
The Fourth Ward Cardinals swept the Lyon Mountain Miners, and in one game threw a no-hitter in CVBL play; A's and Expos, T'jaxx and Padres split games.
-
Peru's Bushey, Forget win wrestling titles
Peru's Jordan Bushey and Nick Forget, representing the Cellar Dwellers Wrestling Club, recently won their weight classes at the New York State Greco-Roman and Freestyle Championships.
-
MVAC announces 2012 winter scholar athletes
The Mountain and Valley Athletic Conference announced scholar athletes for the 2012 winter sports season.
-
Saranac boys win fourth straight Section VII track and field title
Saranac used depth and skill to win its fourth straight Section VII boys' track and field title.
-
Eagles end Saranac's five-year Section VII track reign
Saranac won the last five Section VII girls' track and field championships, but on Saturday Beekmantown ended the dynasty.
-
Bissonette, Higgins capture Section VII tennis titles
Shawn Bissonette and Abby Higgins captured Section VII singles titles in tennis, while the duos of Alex Jelinek/Nick Stosiek and Alexandra Provost and Bailey Waterbury won doubles titles.
-
Expos off to fast CVBL start
Meron's Expos enter today's CVBL games as the only unbeaten team left in the league.
-
Robinson, Planck continue early Mohawk success
Dale Planck and Mathieu Robinson continued their hot starts at Mohawk International Speedway Friday night.
-
Labatt Blue holds first place in ADK Slo-Pitch
Perennial A Division power Labatt Blue has taken over sole possession of first place in the Adirondack Slo-Pitch Softball League with a 7-1 record.
-
McClatchie wins Renegade feature, new recliner
Jason McClatchie won the 50-lap Renegade feature and earned himself a new reclinder in the process at Airborne Speedway.
-
Downhill cyclists gear up for Whiteface 5K
-
Sports shorts: May 27, 2012
Ameri-Can North spring games this week; The Barracks Member Scramble today; Adirondack to hold ladies' league and more.
-
Area sports: May 27, 2012
A schedule of sports events today featuring local teams and venues.
- May 26, 2012
-
Votraw nabs Sec. 7 golf crown
Plattsburgh High's Ethan Votraw won the Section VII Golf Championships, with last year's winner, AuSable Valley's John Hickey, taking second.
-
Emma, Claire Deshaies share sisterly bond on PHS track team
Sisters Emma and Claire Deshaies, a senior and eighth grader, respectively, have enjoyed the opportunity to be teammates on the PHS track and field team. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
Section VII Track and Field Championships today
The Section VII Track and Field Championships will be held today in Lake Placid.
-
Hornets edged Red Storm in 'B' quarters
The Section VII baseball tournament got started Friday. PHS, NCCC and B'town won in Class B quarterfinals; Ticonderoga, Morah win 'C' semis and E'town-Lewis and Indian Lake/Long Lake grabbed 'D' quarterfinal victories.
-
Peru finishes golf season with win
The Peru golf team finished its CVAC season with a win over AuSable Valley using scores from the first day of the Section VII Golf Championships.
-
Boyle pitches Keene past Westport
The Section VII softball tournament started Friday. Keene and E'town-Lewis got wins in 'D' quarterfinals while Ticonderoga and Lake Placid won in 'C' semifinals.
-
Renegades get Airborne Speedway spotlight
Airborne Speedway's main contest tonight will be the 50-lap Key RD Trailer Sales Renegades race.
-
Section VII Tennis Qualifiers finish today
The Section VII Tennis Qualifiers finish up today with semifinals and finals matches.
-
Area sports: May 26, 2012
A schedule of sports events this weekend featuring local teams and venues.
-
Sports shorts: May 26, 2012
Memorial Tournament teams, hole assignments; Alouettes holding open tryout; Chazy soccer camp sets dates; Larry Stringer tourney June 16; Sigel and Ohlsten winners in Minds 5K.
-
Former Seton Catholic standout Hartung headed to NCAAs


