POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's soccer team (5-5-1) scored two second half goals to defeat SUNYIT (4-7-1) on Monday night at Maxcy Turf Field. Sophomore midfielder Kaylen Van Wagner (Red Hook, N.Y./Hotchkiss) scored her first goal of the season and junior midfielder Jess Sterns (Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta) notched her third for the Bears. Freshman goalkeeper Val Driscoll (Yorktown, N.Y./Yorktown) made three saves to record her second career win and shutout.
 
Potsdam controlled the play for the entire first half. The Bears outshot the Wildcats 15-2 in the opening 45 minutes, but created just a few strong scoring opportunities. Driscoll made two routine stops in the half and SUNYIT freshman goalie Angela Bartlett (West Winfield, N.Y./Mount Markham) recorded four saves as the contest entered the half scoreless.
 
The Bears offense started to roll in the second half. After several close calls early, Van Wagner was awarded a direct kick just outside and left of the box at the 54:35 mark. The sophomore hooked her shot toward the left corner of the net. A diving Bartlett got a piece of the ball, but it deflected off her hands and into the net. Nearly six minutes later, another direct kick allowed Potsdam to double its lead. In the 61st minute, Bears senior captain Kristin Webster's (Schenectady, N.Y./Schenectady) kick from in front of the box was blocked and Sterns knocked the loose ball home. Potsdam never gave the Wildcats room to breathe over the rest of the half, but was unable to pad its lead. With 26 seconds left, junior forward Erin McClusky (Watertown, N.Y./Immaculate Heart) was awarded a penalty kick, but Bartlett robbed her, diving to her left.
 
Bartlett totaled eight saves on the evening. The Bears finished with a 30-5 advantage in shots and topped the Wildcats 7-0 in corner kicks.
 
Potsdam resumes SUNYAC play Friday afternoon when the Bears head to Oneonta for a 4 p.m. contest.