POTSDAM, N.Y.—Alfred University (0-1-2) grabbed a first half lead, but sophomore defender Donny Ophals (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) lifted the SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (0-0-1) to a 1-1 draw with a late goal. Bears senior goalkeeper Conor Callan (Piermont, N.Y./Tappan Zee) made nine saves in the contest.
 
The first half was played alternating between driving rain and a steady drizzle. Potsdam created the better opportunities early, but it was the Saxons getting on the board first at 34:36. Alfred sophomore defender Samuel Halstead (Marion, N.Y./Marion) sent a direct kick through a crowd to the left side of the net. Junior defender Nathan Croscut-Miller (North East, Pa./North East) was waiting and drove it into the back of the net before Callan could move to his right. The score was unchanged as the teams headed into the break. Potsdam outshot the Saxons 7-6 in the first 45 minutes.
 
The weather improved in the second half, but play got more physical as 14 fouls were called and three cards were awarded. In the 55th minute, the Bears got strong scoring chances from senior midfielders Sebastian Matos (Huntington, N.Y./Half Hallow Hills) and Quinn Graziano (Rhinebeck, N.Y./Rhinebeck) in quick succession, but Alfred sophomore goalie Daniel Koenig (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) turned both aside. Callan made the next four saves of the half, but wasn't overly challenged. The Bears finally got even at 82:19. Freshman midfielder Owen Santos (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) sent a corner kick into the box and Ophals headed it into the back of the net.
 
The Bears fired three shots on Koenig in the first overtime, but were unable to end the contest. In the second overtime, Matos appeared to knock home the game-winner, but was ruled offside. Each keeper made a save in the final 10 minutes to seal the draw.
 
Potsdam outshot the Saxons 19-5 and each team had five corners. Koenig finished with 10 stops.
 
The Bears are back in action on Wednesday night when they host Utica College at 6 p.m.