In a tight defensive game, the Clarkson University Lacrosse team fell just short in its bid for an upset win on the road, falling at 18th-ranked Plattsburgh State 8-7 in overtime in non-league action on Wednesday afternoon.

The Golden Knights, who dropped their second straight to a nationally-ranked team, own a 4-3 overall record. The Green and Gold, who stand at 0-1 in Liberty League play, resume conference action on Saturday when they play Rensselaer in a 1:00 p.m. game in Troy, NY.

In game, which saw only one lead of more than one goal, Plattsburgh (8-1) pulled out the overtime victory on its home field when Brett McClelland scored on a low shot through traffic with 1:51 left in the four-minute sudden-victory extra session.

The Cardinals and Knights traded two goals apiece for a 2-2 tie after the opening 15 minutes. Plattsburgh began the second quarter scoring its third goal, but Clarkson answered back with scores by sophomore Jack Dowst (Weare, NH) and senior Brendon Shearin (Goffstown, NH) to take a 4-3 lead into the half.

Plattsburgh went on a three-goal run in the third quarter to take the biggest lead of the game, 6-4 through 45 minutes of play.

The Knights outscored the home team 3-1 in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Sophomore Mark Nortz (Lowville, NY) and classmate Corey Herrington (Camillus, NY) scored the first goals in the quarter to tie the game 6-6 with 5:24 left to play in regulation.

After the Cardinals’ Tim Lawrence tallied with 3:26 remaining to give Plattsburgh a 7-6 edge, the Knights came right back with Shearin’s second goal of the game to tie the contest for the sixth time with 2:45 left in the fourth.

Nortz also scored two goals and added one assist to lead the Knights offensively. Senior Jeff Sciera (DeWitt, NY) scored a first-quarter goal for Clarkson.

Plattsburgh held a decided advantage in shots, 45-25, but senior Ryan Cole (Orchard Park, NY) put in another strong game in the Clarkson goal with a 14-save effort.

The Knight held a 26-19 advantage in ground balls. Sophomore Dylan Broomfield (Clinton, NY) was solid on faceoffs, winning 14-of-18 at the X, and also picked up a game-high eight ground balls.