CORTLAND, N.Y. – Backed by a pair of four-point games from Yasin Choukri (Wilton, CT) and Matt Shultz (Oneonta), the nationally-14th ranked Cortland men's soccer team earned a dominant 4-0 victory over Plattsburgh on Holloway Field on Saturday. Cortland is now 7-2-3 (1-1-1 SUNYAC), while Plattsburgh suffered its first loss of the season, dropping to 6-1-3 (1-1-1 SUNYAC).
 
Shultz scored twice for Cortland for his seventh and eighth goals of the season, while Choukri scored a goal and assisted on a pair of goal as well. Muiz Bayewu (Lagos, Nigeria/Albany, NY) found the back of the net for his first goal of the year, while Jordan Miller (Jericho) had a pair of assists. Mateo Marra (Ossining), Sam LaMendola (Buffalo/Williamsville South), and Matias Valenzuela Matic (Santiago, Chile/Northwood School) each recorded an assist, while Luke van Galen (Georgetown, MA) stopped five shots in goal for his first shutout of the year.
 
Five different players registered a shot on goal for Plattsburgh, while goalie Teddy Healey made three saves. 
 
Cortland had its first opportunity to take the lead in the 11th minute, but LaMendola's header off a corner kick sailed off to the right of the post. Plattsburgh had a forward through on goal in the 20th minute, but John Hayes's shot was right at van Galen, who was able to make a strong save.
 
The Red Dragons netted the opener in the 29th minute thanks to aggressive play in the midfield by LaMendola. The sophomore forward stepped to intercept a pass, sending it to Choukri, who chested the ball down to Bayewu just outside the box, before Bayewu cut inside and fired a right-footed shot into the right corner to give Cortland the lead.
 
Plattsburgh was denied on a pair of chances to equalize in the 40th minute, as van Galen dove to his right to stop Jack Murphy's shot, and then tipped a shot from Connor Howe over the crossbar shortly after. Marra blocked another shot from close range one minute later to preserve the Cortland lead. 
 
Cortland doubled its advantage in the 44th minute, as Miller sent a cross from the right side into the box, where Marra was able to head it back to the middle for Choukri's third goal of the season at close range into the bottom right corner. 
 
Smart thinking by Choukri in the 68th minute led to Cortland's third goal. After a close play down the endline that was scooped up and then put back down by the Plattsburgh keeper, Choukri attacked the ball, prompting Healey to panic and pick up the ball again. The referee awarded an indirect free kick to Cortland, and Choukri quickly passed to Shultz for a goal into the empty net before the Cardinals were able to regroup. 
 
Cortland added a fourth goal in the 77th minute as the result of excellent one-touch passing between Miller and Valenzuela Matic, with Shultz finishing the play into the back of the net for the 4-0 final. 
 
Cortland 4, Plattsburgh 0
 
Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: Matt Shultz 2-0, Yasin Choukri 1-2, Muiz Bayewu 1-0, Jordan Miller 0-2, Mateo Marra 0-1, Sam LaMendola 0-1, Matias Valenzuela Matic 0-1 
Plattsburgh: none


Halftime: Cortland 2, Plattsburgh 0
Shots: Plattsburgh 12, Cortland 11, 
Corner Kicks: Cortland 5, Plattsburgh 3
Fouls: Cortland 12, Plattsburgh 9

Saves: Luke van Galen (Cortland) 5 saves (0 GA in 90:00); Teddy Healey (Plattsburgh) 3 saves (4 GA in 90:00) 
 
Record after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 7-2-3, 1-1-1 SUNYAC; Plattsburgh (Cardinals) 6-1-3, 1-1-1 SUNYAC