POTSDAM, N.Y.-- The SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (1-1-1) grabbed its first win of the season as the Bears came from behind to defeat the SUNY Canton Kangaroos (1-2) 2-1 in their home opener. Junior forward
Alejandro Callejas (Brentwood, N.Y./Brentwood) and senior midfielder
Matt Saddlemire (Gansevoort, N.Y./Schuylerville) each scored for Potsdam and junior goalie
Jakeb Mitchell (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) finished with saves for his ninth career win.
The first few minutes of the contest saw a lot of back and forth between the two teams in the midfield. Although Potsdam outshot Canton 8-3 in the first half, including a header shot on a great read by sophomore Cole Cotty (Queensbury, N.Y./Queensbury), they were never able to get over the hump. On the Kangaroos end, their first shot didn't come until the 27:38 mark. With 9:45 left in the half Canton struck first after a Potsdam defender kicked a shot off the foot of Roos senior forward Josh Geller (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury) into the Bears' net. Canton took the one-goal advantage into the break.
Both teams came out aggressive in the second half. Potsdam junior midfielder
Teddy Bruschini (Wilton, N.Y./South Glens Falls) nearly tied the game with a rocket toward the top of the net, but Roos goalkeeper Mouhammed Thiam (New York, N.Y./Washington Irving) was able to read it perfectly and deflect it over the crossbar. Minutes later Canton sophomore midfielder Ellis Sanchez (Pomona, N.Y./Albertus Magnus Prep) nearly doubled the advantage after picking up a pass for a breakaway behind Bears' defense. Sanchez was at full speed and had a great look at the goal, but his kick was a bit high.
The Bears finally got on the board at 69:51 after freshman forward
Jhonny Mendoza (Brentwood, N.Y./Brentwood) sent a cross to Callejas who had a perfect look and buried it. It was the first goal of Callejas' career. Potsdam didn't take its foot off the pedal as about a minute later senior midfielder
Jeffrey Schulz (East Moriches, N.Y./Westhampton Beach) challenged the Kangaroos with a strong opportunity that was scooped up by Thiam. The Bears continued to push until they broke through again at 79:09. A long throw in found Callejas' head and then Saddlemire. The senior capitalized with his first collegiate goal that proved to be the game-winner. The Kangaroos were unable to solve Mitchell in the second half as he stopped all three shots that came his way.
Thiam finished with five saves for the visitors. Potsdam outshot Canton 14-9 and compiled 12-1 edge in corner kicks. Mitchell's victory moves him into 10th place on the program's all-time wins list.
The Bears (1-1-1) look to keep the momentum rolling as they host the Sage Colleges (0-2) this Saturday at 3 p.m. at Maxcy Turf Field.
