POTSDAM, N.Y.—The College at Brockport (3-10-2, 2-6-1 SUNYAC) rallied from a late 2-1 deficit to down the SUNY Potsdam soccer team (8-6-2, 3-5-1) 3-2 in overtime on a rainy Saturday afternoon. The loss eliminates the Bears from playoff contention. Freshman defender
Rob Dulanto (Queens, N.Y./Francis Lewis) and senior forward
Justin Kellett (Chazy Lake, N.Y./North Country C.C.) each scored for the Bears.
After a fast start by Potsdam, Brockport took control of the play territorially through the middle of the half. At the 18:49, the Golden Eagles made the most of a Bears failed clearing attempt. Freshman forward Jake Fusilli (Watertown, N.Y./Immaculate Heart Central) fed sophomore midfielder Quintin Volpe (Commack, N.Y./St. Anthony's) on a breakaway at the right side of the box and he deposited the ball into the back of the net. Potsdam slowly battled back and the pressure resulted in some good chances. At 34:45, sophomore defender
Connor DeSantis (Rotterdam, N.Y./Mohonasen) had his header stopped by Brockport sophomore goalie Ryan Cassidy (Pearl River, N.Y./IMG Academy), but Dulanto was there to drive home his first collegiate goal. The game was still knotted a 1-1 at the half. Potsdam outshot the Golden Eagles 9-5 in the opening 45 minutes.
Chances were harder to come by in the second half, but the Bears made the most of one in the 72nd minute. After the ball went off a couple of heads in front of the Brockport net, Kellett headed it over Cassidy to make it 2-0. With 4:29 left in regulation the Golden Eagles tied the game. Potsdam freshman goalie
Jake Mitchell (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) robbed freshman defender Michael Meyers (North Bellmore, N.Y./Mepham), but senior midfielder David LaPietra (Rochester, N.Y./Gates-Chili) was there to bang home the rebound. Just 1:07 later, Kellett broke free on the right side of the box, but his shot went off the post and contest headed for overtime.
Just 1:21 into the extra session, Mitchell stopped a Fusilli shot. Two seconds later, junior defender Jordan Ganance (Troy, N.Y./Columbia) jammed in the rebound to end the game.
Mitchell finished with six saves and Cassidy stopped four shots. The shots were even at 13 apiece and Brockport finished with an 8-0 advantage in corners.
Prior to the game seniors Kellett,
Patrick Mylod (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) and
Nick Davies (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) were honored on Senior Day.
Potsdam will wrap up the season when the Bears host crosstown Clarkson University at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
