CORTLAND, N.Y.—SUNYAC West top-seed SUNY Cortland (9-3) defeated the Eastern second-seeded SUNY Potsdam men's lacrosse team (7-4) 19-5 in the conference semifinals this afternoon. Sophomore goalie Ben Fuchs (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Calvary Christian Academy) stood out for the Bears with 21 saves.
 
Junior midfielder Alex Burley (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua) scored two goals for Potsdam. Senior captain Josh Huiatt (Lisbon, N.Y./Hugh C. Williams) had a goal and an assist, raising him to 177 career points on 104 goals and 73 assists. Sophomore midfielder Peyton Walsh (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa) and junior midfielder Alec Miller (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville South) also scored a goal apiece for Potsdam.
 
Fuchs played the first 52:36. Freshman Liam O'Neil (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) stopped all five shots he faced in the next 5:34. Sophomore Nate Prelewicz (Buffalo, N.Y./Clarence) played the final 1:50.
 
Pat Doyen and Dante Yacovone led Cortland's offense. Doyen had eight points on five goals and three assists. Yacavone scored six goals in the contest. Brian Williams played a major role in the game, winning 14 of his 18 faceoff attempts.
 
This spring, the Bears successfully managed COVID protocols to stay healthy and reach the playoffs in a season they were unsure was going to happen a month before it started.