The Red Dragons regained the lead at the 4:42 mark. Greg Haney took a centering pass and deposited the puck into the net.

Back came Plattsburgh State, however, at 14:20. Clarke sent the puck in front and Eric Satim banged it in to pull the Cardinals even.

"We made a couple of defensive mistakes that led to them scoring two goals," Emery said.

"We had some players who played well tonight. But, we had some other players who didn't play well, especially on defense, and that brought the team down."

Plattsburgh State, because of the big difference in the third period, finished with a 40-22 advantage in shots on goal. Both goaltenders played well, with Bryan Hince making 20 stops and Mistretta, 41.

The Cardinals, however, were held without a goal in six power-play opportunities.

Plattsburgh State closes out its home regular season this coming weekend, with SUNYAC games against Buffalo State on Friday and Fredonia on Saturday. The Cardinals' final three games are on the road -- at Brockport, Geneseo and Potsdam.

In other SUNYAC action Saturday night, Oswego bounced back from its loss to the Cardinals with a decisive 6-0 win at Potsdam. Brockport and Buffalo State skated to a 2-all tie and Geneseo edged Fredonia, 4-3.

Plattsburgh State 3, Cortland State 2

Score by periods:

Cortland State 2 0 0 -- 2

Plattsburgh State 2 0 1 -- 3

First period- 1, Cort, Rizzo, 2:04. 2, PSU, Tozzo (Baccaro), 2:27. 3, Cort, Haney (Fallon, Maier), 4:42. 4, PSU, Satim (Clarke), 14:20. Penalties- Cole, Cort (hooking), 6:37. Friel, Cort (holding), 16:11. Bancroft, PSU (hitting from behind), 18:58.

Second period- no scoring. Penalties- Fallon, Cort (tripping), 8:35. Baccaro, PSU (roughing), 8:35. Catanzaro, Cort (roughing), 8:35. Porpora, Cort (hooking), 10:53. Fallon, Cort (interference), 11:46. Palmisano, Cort (interference), 19:13. Clarke, PSU (tripping), 19:43.

Third period- 5, PSU, Clarke (Satim, Farrow), 19:15. Penalties- Schiavi, PSU (boarding), 7:24. Heinz, Cort (holding), 8:18. Porpora, Cort (holding), 11:49. Rolls, PSU (roughing), 11:49. Fallon, Cort (hooking), 15:55. Corry, PSU (roughing), 17:49. McLaughlin, Cort (roughing), 17:49.