POTSDAM, N.Y.— Junior forward Justin Mossey (Amity Harbor, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) had a goal and an assist and fellow junior forward Peyton Snell (Parishville, N.Y./Parishville-Hopkinton) also scored as the SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (1-0) defeated SUNY Canton (0-1) 2-0 in the teams' season opener. Senior goalkeeper Lucas Schiel (Bremen, Germany/Colegio Humboldt) earned his first shutout and fourth career victory with four saves.
 
Defenses controlled much of the first half. While Potsdam outshot the Kangaroos 7-4, the shots on goal were just a 2-1 advantage. The Bears broke through in the 13th minute. Potsdam put on a pretty passing display beginning in its own end. Mossey picked up the ball at midfield and fed freshman forward Michael Figueroa in stride on the left side of the field. He then launched a cross into the box where Snell picked it up and beat Roos senior goalie Owen Kwong (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell) to make it 1-0.
 
The Bears offense steadily picked up the pace in the second half and controlled the play territorially. The Bears were fouled at 66:04, setting up a direct kick for senior captain Sebastian Sosa (Shirley, N.Y./William Floyd). He launched the ball to the right post where Mossey headed it in to double the advantage. The Kangaroos tested Schiel three times late in the half, but he handled each attempt to preserve the whitewash.
 
Kwong finished with one stop. The Bears had a 14-8 advantage in shots and a 7-2 edge in corner kicks.
 
Potsdam is now 13-0-1 in the all-time series with Canton, dating back to 2007.
 
The Bears head to SUNY Cobleskill tomorrow for a 2 p.m. contest with the Fighting Tigers.