Alfred, NY – The Alfred State men's lacrosse team dropped its season opener at home to the visiting Plattsburgh Cardinals, 17–7. The Pioneers begin the season 0–1.

Freshman Matthew Bridges had an impressive collegiate debut, scoring four goals on six shots while scooping up four ground balls. Brendon O'Donnell tallied a goal and an assist to go along with three ground balls. Griffin Doan added a goal and collected four ground balls, while Matthew Burris made 16 saves on 33 shots in net.

The Pioneers fell into an early 2–0 hole just 2:16 into the contest. However, back-to-back goals from O'Donnell and Bridges evened the score at 2–2 with 8:41 remaining in the first quarter. From that point on, the Cardinals went on an eight-goal run to close out the half, sending Alfred State into the locker room trailing 10–2.

Plattsburgh continued to apply pressure in the second half, scoring five more unanswered goals to extend the lead to 15–2. Bridges broke the scoring drought for the Pioneers with his second goal of the day at the 8:27 mark and struck again just over a minute later. Trailing 17–4 late, Alfred State closed the game strong with three goals in the final minute from Doan, Luca Campanelli, and Bridges, but Plattsburgh secured the 17–7 victory.

Alfred State returns to action on Wednesday, February 25, on their home turf for the inagural Alfred Cup match. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.