Senior forward Cortney Poirier (Moira, N.Y./ Brushton-Moira) scored twice on two assists from sophomore forward Heather Johnson (Heuvelton, N.Y./Heuvelton) to lead the SUNY Potsdam women’s soccer team to a 2-1 SUNYAC victory over visiting SUNY Oswego. With the win Potsdam Head Coach Tim Moody got his 39th victory, the most for any coach in the program’s history.

The Bears (8-4, 1-3 SUNYAC) were aggressive right out of the gate in the first half, putting the Lakers on their heels. Just over six minutes into the contest, Johnson sent a cross to Poirier right in front of the net and Poirier tapped the ball past Oswego sophomore goalkeeper Christina Fregosi (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) for the first score. Potsdam kept the pressure on and at 19:14 the duo hooked up again on a very similar play for the eventual game-winner. The Bears had several other chances in the half, but weren’t able to capitalize. In the 31st minute, the Lakers got back into the game. Oswego junior defender Stephanie San Antonio (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage) sent a cross into the box and sophomore forward Shelly Bateman (Fulton, N.Y./G. Ray Bodley) headed the ball into the goal to cut the Bears lead to 2-1.

In the second half both teams created scoring chances and were shut down by defense and goalkeepers. The Lakers best chance to tie came in the 66th minute as Bateman slipped by a Bear defender and sent a cross to freshman forward Nikki Liadka (Liverpool, N.Y/Liverpool) in the middle of the box.

Liadka couldn’t handle the pass and the Bears quickly cleared the ball.

Poirier and freshman forward Ashley Thayer (Winthrop, N.Y./St. Lawrence) traded scoring chances for Potsdam as the clock ticked down, but couldn’t add to the lead as time expired.

Bears junior goalkeepers Caitlin Titus (Jamesville, N.Y./Jamesville-DeWitt) made four saves in the win, while Fregosi stopped five shots for Oswego (5-5, 0-3).

Coach Moody was proud of his team’s showing.

“Our performance against Cortland built up our confidence and self-belief that we can score and play well against anybody and that carried over into our win today,” said Moody. “Our team chemistry is very strong and it’s been an important factor in how well we’ve played over the last two days.

At halftime we talked about taking care of our jobs and responsibilities and that if we were committed to work for the team, we could get results. We fully did that today.”

Moody was also pleased with his record-breaking win and its timing.

“I’m very happy to be where I’ve gotten to. It’s a stepping stone to move on further,” Moody said. “It was important to get this win in a SUNYAC game to prove we’re capable of winning. It takes time to get players to play the way you’d like them to and every day we’re working to improve.”