Box Score Throggs Neck, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's soccer team cruised to an 8-0 road victory over Maritime College Friday night. Led by a hat trick from senior forward Cortney Poirier (Moira, N.Y./Bruston-Moira) and two goals apiece from freshman forward Ashley Thayer (Winthrop, N.Y./St. Lawrence) and sophomore forward Heather Johnson (Heuvelton, N.Y./Heuvelton), the Bears trounced the Privateers for their fourth straight win.

Poirier netted the first two goals of the contest in the 11th and 17th minutes, respectively. Thayer scored her first of the evening on a breakaway set up by junior midfielder Stephanie Simons (Stratford, Ontario/St. Michael's) with just over a minute remaining in the first half. Bears junior goalkeeper Kim Callahan (Centereach, N.Y./Centereach) started in goal and played the first 26:42 before giving way to fellow junior Caitlin Titus (Jamesville/Jamesville-DeWitt), who played the remainder of the contest. Potsdam held a 3-0 advantage at the half.

The Bears offense stepped it up even more in the second half, outshooting Maritime 25-1. Sophomore forward Jasmine Frasher (Gouverneur, N.Y./Gouverneur) scored her first career goal at the 60:43 mark on an assist from Thayer. Five minutes later Johnson was set up by Poirier for her first of the night for a 5-0 Potsdam lead. Poirier scored her third and final goal at 78:35. Johnson got her second tally three minutes later and Thayer got her second and the Bears' eighth goal and final goal of the game in the 88th minute.

Overall, Potsdam outshot the Privateers 33-2. Callahan didn't face a shot on goal while in net and Titus only stopped one shot as the duo combined for the Bears' seventh shutout of the season. Maritime's Andrea Thornton made eight saves for the Privateers (0-7).

Bears Head Coach Tim Moody was very satisfied with his team's effort in the victory.

“Tonight is the best we have played collectively as a squad from one to 18. There were many outstanding performances today. It was our best all round complete game so far this season. We were at the races early and we did today what we should have done against Clarkson. We put the ball into the back of the net. Maribeth Simmons (Clinton, Conn./The Morgan School) marshaled the back line and the entire defense was sound. The midfield was sharp and relentless the whole game, leaving only the forwards to put the icing on the cake. It was an excellent match. I could not have asked for more. Before the game we spoke about how we were going to play and everybody executed it to the letter. Our passing was crisp, movement top notch and we were clinical in front of goal.”

Moody also pointed out a fringe benefit of the Bears' road trip.

“The players were rewarded for their effort on the pitch with a day out in the Big Apple. Time for a little team bonding, sight seeing, shopping and quality food! New York City is always a treat never to be missed.”

Potsdam (7-1) opens up the SUNYAC portion of its schedule when it travels to Geneseo on Sept. 24, for a 4 p.m. contest. The Bears face Brockport at 2 p.m. the following afternoon