POTSDAM, N.Y. – SUNY Fredonia (6-6, 1-3 SUNYAC) secured the 1-0 win against the SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (2-8-2, 0-5) at the Maxcy Turf Field on Friday afternoon.
 
Potsdam came out the gate aggressive as the Bears outshot the Blue Devils 6-1 in the first half. The Bears had a scoring opportunity late in the period when sophomore midfield Rafael Castro (Cartagena, Colombia/Longwood) attempted to slip a shot into the bottom right corner of the net. That shot was then turned aside by Fredonia junior goalie William Richardson (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield), one of his four saves on the night. Bears senior goalie Conor Callan (Piermont, N.Y./Tappan Zee) didn't face a shot in the opening half of play.
 
Fredonia began to take charge as the second half commenced. Eight minutes into the second half, Blue Devils senior midfielder Jackson Retzer (Bowmansville, N.Y./Williamsville North) took a corner kick from the left side of the field. As the ball approached the net, Fredonia junior defender Imani Paluku (Louvain-le-Neuve,Belgium/Shattuck St. Mary's Academy) rose above the crowd and headed the ball downwards. Amidst the confusion, Blue Devils freshman defender Nick Aufiero (East Northport, N.Y./John Glenn) took advantage and booted a shot into the bottom left side of the net. Both Paluku and Retzer were awarded assists on the play. This proved to be the game-winner as the Blue Devils held on for the victory.
 
Callan ended the contest with three saves. The second half proved to be much more physical than the first as there were four yellow cards handed out in the closing half of play.
 
The Bears are back at home tomorrow at 1 p.m. where they will face off against the Bengals of Buffalo State. Before kickoff, the Bears plan to honor seniors Conor Callan, Sebastian Matos (Huntington, N.Y./Half Hallow Hills East), Patrick Frascello (Highland Mills, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury), Colin Zieske (Averill Park, N.Y./Averill Park) and Michael Diano (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay East Fishkill).