POTSDAM, N.Y.—Sophomore midfielder Caitlin Gagen (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse-Minoa) scored in the 103rd minute to give Plattsburgh State (6-2-1, 1-0 SUNYAC) a 1-0 double-overtime victory over the SUNY Potsdam women's soccer team (7-2, 0-1) on Saturday afternoon. The contest was the conference opener for both teams.

The teams battled back and forth in the opening 45 minutes with neither able to gain the upper hand. The Bears created the the first scoring chances of the contest with a corner kick just over seven minutes in, but was unable to find the back of the net. The Cardinals answered with two shots nearly five minutes later, but Potsdam senior goalie Bri Thibeau (Salem, N.Y./Salem) stopped both attempts. Plattsburgh's best chance of the half came in the 37th minute as Gagen fired a shot off a cross toward the right corner of the net. Thibeau reacted quickly to her left for a kick save.

The Bears entered the second half with good energy and created several opportunities early. In the 55th minute, sophomore midfielder Brooke Falsion (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) chased down a long pass on the left side of the field. She evaded two Cardinal defenders and fired a shot. However, Plattsburgh freshman goalie Nichole Gibson (Arkport, N.Y./Arkport) got both hands on the ball as she charged out to challenge Falsion. Potsdam kept the pressure on for much of the period, outshooting the Cardinals 10-4, but still couldn't break through.

Both keepers made a save in the first overtime to keep the game scoreless. Three minutes into the second overtime, Plattsburgh junior forward Anissa Hartmann (Fairfax Vt./BFA Fairfax) moved the ball toward Potsdam's net. A Bears defender moved back to play the ball and collided with Thibeau. The ball popped free to the right side of the net and Gagen sent it into the open goal to end the contest.

Thibeau finished with five saves, while Gibson earned the shutout with six. The Bears outshot Plattsburgh 15-12 and finished with a 6-4 edge in corners.

Potsdam is back in action next Friday when the Bears head to Oswego for a 3 p.m. contest with the Lakers.