POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (2-0-1) made the most of a SUNY Canton (0-2-1) own goal to edge the Roos 1-0 on Tuesday night.

The teams felt each other out early in the contest with few strong chances in the opening minutes. Slowly the Bears took territorial control and built a 10-4 advantage in shots. In the 31st minute, junior defender DJ Guy (New York, N.Y./St. John's Prep) broke free at the right side of the net. Canton junior goalie Austin Lamay (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy) charged out to challenge him and made the save. The ball popped up in the air and Potsdam senior forward Justin Kellett (Chazy Lake, N.Y./Northern Adirondack) picked up the rebound and blasted it at the net. Lamay had just enough time to recover and smother the ball. The game remained scoreless at the half.

The Bears created good pressure in the second half, but continued to be frustrated in the offensive zone. Game was more physical as the clock ticked down. The teams combined for 26 hard fouls and two yellow cards. Canton nearly got on the board first as freshman defender Joash Romain (Corloni, Trinidad & Tobago/Trinity College East) found himself in front of Potsdam's goal in the 74th minute, but Potsdam senior goalie Nick Davies (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) stuffed the attempt. The Kangaroos picked up the rebound and tried to work around Davies at the left side of the net, but the defense recovered in time to prevent a second shot. Nearly three minutes later, the Bears were on an odd-man rush and sent the ball into the box toward the net. Romain prevented the ball from crossing the goal line, but his hard clearing attempt ricocheted off of Lamay an into the goal for the game's only tally at 76:12. Potsdam's defense clamped down and didn't allow another Kangaroo shot for the rest of the game.

Davies needed just one save for his school record 17th win and sixth career shutout. Lamay, who deserved a better fate, finished with eight stops.

Potsdam outshot Canton 23-8 and had a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks. The Bears are back in action this Saturday, when they host Mount Saint Mary College in the first round of the Potsdam College Cup at noon.