X

Auyer scores twice for Bears men's soccer, Figueroa buries Fredonia in OT

Posted 10/18/14

FREDONIA, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (8-7-1, 3-4-0 SUNYAC) scored three second half goals and one in overtime to rally past Fredonia State (8-4-3, 2-3-2) for a critical 4-3 SUNYAC …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Auyer scores twice for Bears men's soccer, Figueroa buries Fredonia in OT

Posted

FREDONIA, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (8-7-1, 3-4-0 SUNYAC) scored three second half goals and one in overtime to rally past Fredonia State (8-4-3, 2-3-2) for a critical 4-3 SUNYAC victory on Saturday afternoon. Junior forward Stephen Auyer (Oswego, N.Y./Oswego) scored two goals for the Bears, including the game-tying marker with less than three minutes left in regulation. Senior forward Eduardo Figueroa (Rochester, N.Y./Dr. Freddie Thomas) scored the game-winner 3:33 into the extra session. The goal was the 27th of Figueroa's career, tying him for first place on the program's goals-scored list with Jack Groff '68.

Potsdam came out strong in the opening period, creating seven corner kick opportunities, but was foiled by several great plays from Blue Devil goalie Sammy Torrelli and bad luck. Despite the pressure, it was Fredonia that struck first on a goal from Paul Reinis at the 18:44 mark. Just 1:55 later, Ryan Keller found the back of the net to make it a 2-0 game. The Bears outshot the Blue Devils 11-7 but still found themselves down 2-0 at the break.

At halftime, Potsdam Head Coach Adam Parker told his players he was pleased with their effort so far, but that they needed to finish in the offensive end. The discussion spurred the Bears into action in the final 45 minutes.

Less than four minutes into the half, Auyer closed the gap to 2-1 with an athletic play and Potsdam's momentum took over. At 57:06, three Bears converged on a loose ball at the Fredonia goal line and senior forward Cliff Bondi (Guilderland, N.Y./Guilderland) drove home Potsdam's second goal to tie the game at 2-2. With the surge putting the Blue Devils on the ropes, the Bears were called for a foul and Fredonia was awarded a penalty kick. Keller scored his second of the contest to put the Blue Devils back up 3-2 with 21:40 to play. The goal delayed, but didn't stop the comeback. At 87:12, Auyer smashed home a loose ball of a long throw and sent the game to overtime.

The Bears only got one shot away in overtime, but it was all they needed. Figueroa finished a pass from Auyer in the 94th minute for a badly needed victory.

Potsdam sophomore goalie Nick Davies (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) made three saves to earn the 13th victory of his career. Torrelli finished with five stops for Fredonia.

The Bears outshot the Blue Devils 21-13, but Fredonia finished with an 8-7 edge in corners.

"Everyone played a great game," said Parker. "It took a lot more to win it, but they got it done. We told the guys at halftime not to quit until the ball crosses the line and that's what they did. We didn't get rattled down 2-0. For whatever reason, this seems to happen once a year. We dig a hole for ourselves and have to comeback."

The victory leap-frogs Potsdam over Fredonia into the sixth and final playoff spot with two games to play. The Bears are just a point behind Geneseo and Oswego for fourth place and two back of Brockport for third place.

Potsdam is home next weekend to close out the regular season. The Bears face Brockport at 3 p.m. on Friday and Geneseo at 1 p.m. on Saturday.