PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.-- Springfield Pride (1-0) made the most with its offensive chances to defeat the SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (0-1) 2-0 in the first round of the Best Western Plus Plattsburgh Cardinal Classic, on Friday afternoon. Junior goalie Jakeb Mitchell (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) stopped seven shots for the Bears.

Both teams started off with a couple shots on goal, only to be saved by Stewart Frank and Mitchell. In the beginning of the 11th minute, Brad Deckel scored off the pass from Andrew Ma, giving Springfield a 1-0 lead. At 27:35, the Pride extended their lead to two after Joseph Olaynack crossed it to Ma. The Bears were able to only get three shots on goal throughout the first half, but could not get any to hit the net.

Springfield started the second half strong, however could not score. Pride's Freddy Clark tested Mitchell first in the 50th minute but Mitchell made a remarkable save for Potsdam. A few minutes later, Ma looked for his second goal but ended up hitting the crossbar. Junior midfielder Adam Kelley (Lisbon, N.Y./Lisbon) was the first Bear to get a shot on goal in the second half but could not convert. Neither team could take advantage of the other midway through the second. Mitchell kept Potsdam in the game with back-to-back saves within a minute of one another. With less than five minutes, the Bears had one last attempt to get on the board after a yellow card was given to Frank. Potsdam set up the free kick in the box but got one shot blocked and the other shot went high.    

Freshman forward Jhonny Mendoza (Brentwood, N.Y./Brentwood), senior midfielder Jorge Ferrer (Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger), and Kelley were the only Bears to get shots on goal.

Mitchell ended the contest with seven saves, while Frank ended with three.

The Bears look to bounce back when they face William Paterson tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Plattsburgh.