POTSDAM, N.Y.—Playing on the Molnar Field grass for the first time in years proved to bring the SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (7-2-1, 1-0-1 SUNYAC) some luck as the Bears downed Oswego State (4-4-1, 1-2) 2-1 on Friday afternoon. Sophomore defender Ian Warren (Shenorock, N.Y./Somers) and senior captain Alex Griffith (Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta) each scored for Potsdam.

The Lakers created some early chances that sailed wide or were corralled by Bears senior goalie Jesse Kohler (Middletown, N.Y./Tompkins-Cortland C.C.). The best opportunity of the half came off the foot of Oswego freshman forward Bernard Osei (Syracuse, N.Y./G.W. Fowler). In the 23rd minute, Osei picked up a cross on the right side of the field and fired it off the right post. Potsdam countered with some strong chances of their own, but Laker senior goalie Todd Lawson (Colonie, N.Y./Colonie) finished the half with five saves.

The Bears turned up the pressure at the start of the final period and it paid off. At 56:13, senior midfielder Mario Riccardi (Beacon, N.Y./Beacon) sent a cross over Lawson and Warren laid out flat to head it into the right corner of the net. The goal gave Potsdam more momentum, but the team was unable to extend the lead over the next 25 minutes. In the 82nd minute, Oswego was awarded a direct kick from about 25 yards out. Laker sophomore midfielder Connor Lunduski (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) drove the ball toward the left side of the net and freshman forward Jason Siracuse (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena) tipped it past Kohler to tie the score. The play stayed in the midfield for the next few minutes, but Potsdam senior captain Ben Firlit (South Glens Fall, N.Y./South Glens Falls) broke free in the 86th minute. He moved to the left side of the goal, but a great hustle play by a Laker defender blocked his shot. However, the Bears were awarded a corner kick for the effort. Senior captain Tom Benedetto (Queensbury, N.Y./Queensbury) sent a curving kick just below the crossbar and Griffith headed it up into the net to make it 2-1 with 4:14 left to play. Oswego put one more attempt on goal but Kohler handled it easily to seal the victory.

Kohler finished with four saves to improve to 5-1-1 on the season. Lawson stopped seven shots in a strong performance.

Potsdam outshot the Lakers 20-13, but Oswego finished with a 4-3 edge in corners.

The Bears are back at it on Molnar Field at 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon when they host SUNY Cortland. The Potsdam Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2015, Christian Turner '05, Alisha Schaad-Waite '08 and Mark Nourse, will be recognized at halftime of the contest.