PLATTSBURGH, NY—First-year head coach Mark Howlett led Buffalo State (9-9-1) to its first postseason appearance in six years, but a late goal by host Plattsburgh (13-5-1) ended the Bengals' season with a 2-1 defeat today in the SUNYAC quarterfinals.

Plattsburgh finally broke a scoreless tie in the 66th minute when Alexis Archilla completed a run down the right side with a shot from a sharp angle that snuck inside the far post. Buffalo State responded just 46 seconds later, however. After Andrew Dugan (Schenectady/Colonie) was fouled just outside the box, the Matthew Wong (Coventry, England) pounded a shot to the back of the goal off a rebound from the free kick by Stephen Linderman (Tonawanda/Tonawanda).

The Cardinals netted the game-winner in the 83rd minute, however, when Archilla scored his second of the game, collecting a bouncing ball after a corner kick and sent it inside the left post. The Bengals had one last chance with a free kick in the final seconds, but the attempt sailed over the goal.

Plattsburgh ended with a 23-7 advantage in shots and had a 6-2 edge in corner kicks. Freshman keeper Michael Moraitis (Plainview/Schreiber) made eight saves to keep the Bengals within striking distance.

The Bengals finished the season 9-9-1 overall, improving by eight wins from a season ago in just the first season under Howlett.