Buffalo State's men's soccer team will make its first SUNYAC playoff appearance since 2007 when it visits fourth-seeded Plattsburgh (12-4-1/6-3) on Saturday at 1 p.m. for a quarterfinal match.

Under first-year head coach Mark Howlett, the Bengals are one of the most improved teams in Division III, posting a regular season record of 9-8-1 overall and going 4-5 in SUNYAC play to earn the No. 5 seed. Buffalo State has improved its record by eight victories over a team that went just 1-16-1 overall last season and was winless in league play. The Bengals have made dramatic improvements at both ends of the field in just one season. Buffalo State has tallied 34 goals, while conceding just 15 through 18 games this season. By comparison, in the same number of games a year ago, the Bengals produced just 15 goals, while surrendering 50 against.

Buffalo State went 6-2 over its final eight regular season games, and has been led offensively by senior forward C.J. Scirto (Lockport/St. Joe's) with a team-best 22 points on seven goals and eight assists in 17 games played. Dylan Ross (Staten Island/St. Peter's Boys) is the next leading scorer with 15 points, including five goals, but was lost for the season with a knee injury last weekend. The Bengals balanced offensive attack has been bolstered by Andrew Dugan (Schenectady/Colonie), Keegan Lezama (Milton, ON/Bishop Reding) and Francesco Cardillo (Tonawanda/St. Thomas Aquinas (ON)) who have netted four goals apiece. Defenders Anthony Appiani (N. Tonawanda/N. Tonawanda) and Matthew Wong (Coventry, England) have anchored the backend.

Buffalo State played the Cardinals in Plattsburgh just two weeks ago on Oct. 18, falling 3-2 in overtime. The Bengals rallied to tie the game with a pair of goals by Dugan in the 80th and 85th minutes, but the Cardinals ended the contest just one minute into the extra session.

The Bengals are making just their fourth postseason appearance in 29 years and are seeking their first playoff victory since 1984.

The winner of Saturday's quarterfinal game will advance to the semifinals at No. 1 Oneonta (11-3-4/7-0-2) on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.

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