POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's lacrosse team (8-6, 4-3 SUNYAC) took control early and never let up to defeat SUNY New Paltz (6-11, 3-4) 18-7 on Saturday afternoon. The victory gives the Bears the fourth seed in the upcoming SUNYAC Tournament
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Bears raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first 9:33 before the Hawks countered with two goals. Potsdam added two goals in the final 36 seconds and led 5-2 after 15 minutes. Senior midfielder Owen Walsh (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa) scored three times and senior captain Cobie Cree (Akwesasne, N.Y./Salmon River) had the other two, including a man-up marker.
• Potsdam outscored the Hawks 5-1 in the second quarter and led 10-3 at the half. Junior faceoff specialist Drew Costello (Ogdensburg, N.Y./Ogdensburg Free Academy), senior midfielder Ryan Hughes (Corning, N.Y./Corning-Painted), freshman midfielder Kyan Combs (Watertown, N.Y./Watertown), freshman midfielder Sebastien Laughing (Akwesasne, N.Y./Salmon River) and Walsh did the damage.
• It was 3-1 Bears in the third quarter for a 13-4 advantage through 45 minutes. Junior attackman Billy Kozloski (Johnson City, N.Y./Johnson City) scored, Walsh added a man-up goal and junior defender Alex Farben-Griggs (White Plains, N.Y./White Plains) had the third tally.
• Potsdam scored its final five goals to New Paltz's three in the four quarter. Laughing scored twice and junior long-stick midfielder Ryan Wassmer (Patchogue, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford), Walsh and sophomore midfielder Braden Fahey (Halfmoon, N.Y./Shenendehowa) had the other goals.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Walsh matched a season high with eight points on six goals and two assists. He now has 172 career points on 109 goals and 64 assists to place him sixth in points, fifth in goals and seventh in assists on Potsdam's all-time lists.
• Cree had two goals and two assists giving him 165 career points on 108 goals and 57 assists. He is ninth in points, sixth in goals and 12th in assists.
• Laughing finished with a career-high three goals.
• Hughes had a goal and two assists for three points.
• Senior captain Liam O'Neil (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) made 12 saves and allowed five goals in the first 52:20 to pick up his 14th career win, placing him ninth on Potsdam's career list.
• Hawks freshman goalie Zach Novak (Bethlehem, N.Y./Bethlehem) made five saves and allowed nine goals in the first 24:37.
• Fellow freshman Eric Waldron (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) allowed nine goals and made 11 saves in the final 35:23.
• Freshman midfielder Nick Darcangelo (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs) led the Hawks with three goals, while freshman attackman Michael Plante (Troy, N.Y./Tamarac) added two.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Bears will head to top seeded and 16th-ranked SUNY Cortland for the SUNYAC Semifinals on Wednesday. Game time is to be announced.