POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's lacrosse team (7-8, 3-5 SUNYAC) nearly rallied to tie SUNY Fredonia (7-10, 3-5) in the final seconds before falling 9-8. However, the one-goal loss combined with an SUNY Oneonta loss at SUNY Geneseo gave the Bears their first playoff berth in the program's 21-year history. Down 8-3 at the half and needing to get within at least one of the Blue Devils, Potsdam outscored Fredonia 5-1 in the final 30 minutes.

Junior midfielder Murphy Newman (Canton, N.Y./Berkshire School) had a game-high five goals, moving her to eighth place on the all-time scoring list with 104 (88g, 16a). Senior attack Bri McClusky (Watertown, N.Y./Immaculate Heart) registered three clutch assists, giving her 198 points (86g, 112a) for her career. She has 68 points on the season (19g, 49a), the third most in program history and is three points shy off Bears Hall of Famer Alisha Schaad-Waite's 71 in 2008. Newman is one point behind with 67 (57g, 10a).

The Blue Devils scored just 41 seconds into the contest, as sophomore midfielder Audrey Yokopovich (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) fed senior attack Katie Miller (Hamburg, N.Y./Hamburg) in front of the net. Newman answered with two in a row to give the Bears their lone lead of the contest. The first marker came at 27:53 on an assist from junior midfielder Katie Lapinski (Canton, N.Y./Hugh C. Williams). Just 39 seconds later Newman buried a free position to make it 2-1. Fredonia scored the next four, including two from Miller and a free position from Yokopovich. At 8:49, McClusky set up Newman to slow the momentum and close the gap to 5-3. The Blue Devils finished the half on a 3-0 run and took an 8-3 lead into the break. Miller scored on a free position at 6:15. Freshman midfielder Monica Van Donsel (Cortland, N.Y./Cortland) followed at 2:29. Yokopovich then picked off a pass and scored with just 28 seconds left.

On the brink of elimination, Potsdam's defense and junior goalie Devan Olschewske (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canadaigua) nearly shut out Fredonia the rest of the way. Newman started a 3-0 Bears run at 28:03. Three minutes later, junior midfielder Michaela Cole (Parishville, N.Y./Parishville-Hopkinton) rifled a pass from McClusky into the back of the net. Cole then closed the stretch with a free-position tally at 15:34 to make it 8-6. Miller scored her fifth of the contest on another helper from Yokopovich, while the Blue Devils were a man up. They wouldn't score again. Newman countered with a Potsdam extra-man goal with 9:09 to play.

After another Potsdam shot, Fredonia cleared the zone and ran nearly 3:30 off the clock without attempting a shot. Finally, freshman defender Meaghan Paige (Carthage, N.Y./Carthage) forced turnover and senior midfielder Maggie McCabe (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) scooped up the ground ball and cleared the zone. McClusky was fouled with 1:04 to go, but Fredonia sophomore goalie Nicole Burrows (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Williams) made the save on the free-position shot. Newman picked up the ground ball and kept the Bears alive. With just 27 seconds remaining, McClusky connected with a cutting Lapinski to get make it 9-8. After a foul, senior defender Brittany Blake (South Glens Falls, N.Y./South Glens Falls) was awarded the ensuing draw control. In the final seconds McClusky charged toward the left side of the net looking to tie the game. However, she was tripped up and the ball was knocked away. Despite hanging on for the win, Fredonia was eliminated from playoff contention.

Olschewske made 10 saves on the day. Burrows made eight saves, including five on free-position attempts, for the win.

The Blue Devils outshot Potsdam 26-20, but the Bears won the ground ball battle 20-10.

McCabe collected six draw controls, giving her 72 for the season. She ranks fifth in draw controls (106) and caused turnovers (46) all-time and seventh in ground balls (120). Paige had five caused turnovers in the game.

Prior to the game Blake, McClusky, McCabe and Lizzie Marchbanks (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) were honored for their four-year careers on Senior Day.

Fifth seeded Potsdam will now prepare for a Tuesday battle with fourth seeded Oswego State in the SUNYAC Quarterfinals. Game time is set for 4 p.m.