NEW PALTZ, N.Y.—SUNY New Paltz (6-6, 2-3 SUNYAC) used a big first half run to edge the SUNY Potsdam men's lacrosse team (6-7, 0-5) 14-12 on Saturday afternoon. Sophomore midfielder Drew Rose (Brasher Falls, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central) led the Bears with four goals and senior captain Peyton Walsh (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa) had three goals and an assist. Junior goalie Liam O'Neil (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) nearly matched a career-high with 21 saves.
 
Rose opened the scoring at 12:58 of the first quarter and Peyton Walsh made it 2-0 just 19 seconds later. However, the Hawks countered with a 10-0 run to take an eight-goal lead with 10:16 left in the second quarter. John Reese scored four goals during the run for New Paltz and Aiden Jones had three.
 
Potsdam clawed back into the contest with four straight goals before the half. Rose buried his second at 10:08. Peyton Walsh then set up sophomore midfielder Ryan Hughes (Corning, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post) at 7:06. After sophomore attackman Owen Walsh (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa) assisted on a goal from junior attackman Cobie Cree (Akwesasne, N.Y./Salmon River) at 6:19, Hughes scored again at 5:37 and Potsdam trailed just 10-6. The Hawks scored once more before the break and led 11-6 after 30 minutes.
 
Owen Walsh opened the third quarter scoring at 11:33 and Rose buried his third at 9:11 and Potsdam was down just three. The Hawks answered with two goals of their own and led 13-8 after 45 minutes.
 
Rose and Peyton Walsh scored at 14:03 and 9:36 to open the fourth quarter and get the Bears back within 13-10. New Paltz was able to hold off Potsdam for the next six minutes before Jones added a goal to extend the lead back to four. Cree scored eight seconds later and Peyton Walsh added his third of the day to make it a 14-12 contest with 57 seconds left. However, the Hawks managed to hang on for the victory.
 
New Paltz goalie Ryan Steinhart made 20 saves to earn the win.
 
Reese finished with four goals and an assist to lead the Hawks. Thomas Armetta had two goals and three assists, while Jones completed his day with four goals.
 
Bears freshman faceoff specialist Drew Costello (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg) had a strong day, winning 15 of his 27 attempts and collecting 10 ground balls.
 
Potsdam is back in action on Wednesday night when the Bears travel to Plattsburgh State for a 4 p.m. showdown.