POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (3-0-1) twice rallied from deficits to down Mount Saint Mary College (1-3) 3-2. Junior forward Brandon Laurin (Chazy, N.Y./Chazy), sophomore forward Connor DeSantis (Rotterdam, N.Y./Mohonasen) and junior midfielder Chris Schrum (Manhattan, N.Y./Millennium) each scored for the Bears. In the other first round game RIT (2-1) edged King's College (0-3) on a goal from sophomore forward Ryan McMaster (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park).

In the opener, the teams battled evenly in the first half, but the defenses and Potsdam senior goalie Nick Davies (Websters, N.Y./Webster Thomas) and Mount Saint Mary senior keeper Tyler Biscone (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City) were sharp early. At the 36:03 mark, Knights sophomore midfielder Fred Stark (Hollis, N.Y./St. Mary's) fired a shot that Davies stopped. However, sophomore forward Bereket Watts (Southold, N.Y./McGann Mercy) was there to buried the rebound. The Bears took an 8-6 shot advantage into the break, but trailed 1-0.

Potsdam tied the game in the 65th minute. Laurin stole the ball at midfield, split two defenders and drove the ball home. The momentum shift didn't last long. Just 1:46 later, MSM sophomore defender Joey Dolan (New Paltz, N.Y./Highland) finished a feed from junior forward Eric Hayes (Westhampton Beach, N.Y./Westhampton Beach) to put the Knights back in front 2-1. Potsdam turned up the pressure after the goal and it paid off. At 76:18, sophomore forward Connor DeSantis (Rotterdam, N.Y./Mohonasen) headed home a high cross from senior midfielder Patrick Mylod (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) to knot the score at two apiece. The Bears never let up after the goal. With just 1:02 remaining, DeSantis sent cross into the box and junior midfielder Chris Schrum (Manhattan, N.Y./Millennium) sent another header into the net for the decisive tally.

Davies earned his 19th career victory with three saves. Biscone turned aside four shots.

The Bears outshot the Knights 17-11 and had an 8-4 advantage in corners.

In the second game, RIT controlled the play in the first half, building a 7-2 advantage in shots, but King's sophomore goalie Owen Geedey (Gap, Pa./Pequea Valley) made two big saves and the game was scoreless at the break. The play was tighter in the final 45 minutes but it was McMaster who broke the tie at the 72:15 mark with an assist from sophomore forward Tyler Hatch (Concord, N.H./Tilton School).

Geedey finished with five saves on the day and Tiger sophomore goalie Peter Cinibulk (Bellbrook, Ohio/Bellbrook) made two saves to earn the shutout.

RIT outshot the Monarchs 15-7 and edged them in corner kicks 4-3.

King's and Mount Saint Mary will meet in tomorrow's consolation match at 12 p.m., while the Bears, in search of their first College Cup title, will square off with the Tigers in the championship at 2:30 p.m.