POTSDAM, N.Y.— It wasn't easy, but a banged up SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (9-7-2, 4-4-1 SUNYAC) found away to win a 1-0, playoff-clinching victory over SUNY Geneseo (9-7-2, 4-4-1). On Senior Day, senior forward Cliff Bondi (Guilderland, N.Y./Guilderland) netted the decisive tally in the 54th minute. The victory gives Potsdam its third postseason berth in the last four years and ties the school single-season wins mark with nine. Most importantly, the win places the Bears in fourth place in the SUNYAC and gives them their the first home playoff game in program history, which dates back to 1958.

Defense controlled the play in first half with both offenses struggling to create scoring chances. The Blue Knights held the edge territorially, keeping the ball in Potsdam's half for a good portion of the period. Geneseo sent 10 shots toward the Bears' net, but only two made it to Potsdam sophomore goalkeeper Nick Davies (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) and the game was scoreless at the break.

The second half started in the same fashion, but the Bears finally got a break eight minutes in. The ball was sent deep into Geneseo's half and Bondi, a Geneseo defender and Blue Knight junior goalie Logan Calvey (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) all converged on it. Bondi got there first and knocked if forward just before he was run over by Calvey. The ball bounced several times before crossing the line for a 1-0 Potsdam lead. Geneseo answered with good pressure. With just over 27 minutes remaining Davies robbed Geneseo senior midfielder Neil Allen (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland) on a shot from the top of the box. At the 12:15 mark, Bondi weaved his way around a Blue Knight defender, but couldn't get a shot away. Then Bears turned the ball over with nine minutes left and Davies stoned Geneseo junior midfielder Jaisen Clark (Vestal, N.Y./Vestal) for a game-saving play. Clark had another opportunity sail wide of the net two minutes later. Potsdam recovered and kept the ball out of harm's way as time ran out.

Davies finished with six saves to earn his 14th career win, tying him with Joe Glackin'13 for first place on the known program wins list. Calvey finished with two stops.

Potsdam fifth-year head coach Adam Parker was very proud of his team after the win.

"It clearly wasn't pretty," said Parker. "We were outplayed and we had guys playing out of position. At the end of the game, we had the players on the field that are the "guts" of the team, not necessarily the best players, but the heart and soul. I thought that if we were going to gut out a win, these would be the guys to do it. They did what they needed to close it out."

With the biggest game in program history just a week away, Parker was still able to take a moment to appreciate the team's growth and his seniors.

"Our seniors that came here as freshmen after being 2-13-2 and really had no business expecting to be in the SUNYACs, have now been there three times," added Parker. "We made reaching the playoffs difficult on ourselves, but I think in the end we really deserved to be there. I told the guys after the game that the whole season has just been a tremendous team effort. We've had tons of injuries and different players have stepped up and scored difference-making goals. I'm just proud to be a part of the program and the guys we have. They have great character and personality."

The Bears will now prepare to host fifth-seeded Geneseo in a rematch next Saturday in the SUNYAC Play-In round at a time to be determined.