POTSDAM, N.Y.— Sophomore forward Thomas Wendel (Mechanicville, N.Y./Mechanicville) scored twice in the second half to rally the SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (1-0) to a 2-1 win over Mount Saint Mary College (0-1) in its season opener on Friday evening.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Knights senior forward Marco Mazzarelli (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Pathfinder Academy) opened the scoring in the 40th minute with an assist from senior midfielder Quinn Tynan (Schenectady, N.Y./Guilderland).
• The Bears tied the game in the 76th minute. After earning a corner kick, sophomore midfielder Kyan Tiede (Leicester, N.Y./York) launched the ball into the box and sophomore forward Thomas Wendel (Mechanicville, N.Y./Mechanicville) headed it into the right corner of the net.
• Wendel struck again with just 1:16 left, knocking home a loose ball off another corner for the game-winner.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Knights edged the Bears 8-7 in shots, but Potsdam finished with a 5-4 advantage on corners.
• Senior goalie Ian Schwartz (Amsterdam, N.Y./Broadalbin-Perth) made five saves to earn his fifth career victory.
• MSM senior goalie Noah Horn (Merrick, N.Y./Rivier University) stopped four shots.
• The effort was the first two-goal game of Wendel's career.
• Potsdam is now 2-0 in the all-time series with Mount Saint Mary, including a 3-2 win over the Knights at home on September 10, 2016.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Bears are back in action tomorrow at 1 p.m. when they host Bard College at 1 p.m.