POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women's soccer team (5-1-1) was challenged late by Utica College (2-3-1) before closing out the 3-2 victory on Friday afternoon. Freshman midfielder Lexi Dean (Schenectady, N.Y./Mohonasen), senior forward Amber Hyatt (Jamesville, N.Y./Jamesville-DeWitt) and junior midfielder Brooke Falsion (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) each scored for the Bears and freshman goalkeeper Gabby Hobika (New Harfort, N.Y./New Hartford) made five saves for her third career victory.

Potsdam created pressure early, pushing the ball down field to test the Pioneers' defense. Just over six minutes into the contest, junior forward Olivia Seamans (Bolton Landing, N.Y./Bolton) fired a cross to the left side of the box. Senior captain Jaci Morr (Monroe, Mich./Monroe) kept the ball in play and fed it to Dean. At 5:26, Dean blasted a shot off the hands of Utica sophomore goalie Allison Wagner (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua) for a 1-0 lead. After the goal, the Pioneers relieved the attack with some pressure of their own. However, the Bears' defense and Hobika frustrated Utica. At 23:09, Potsdam was awarded a penalty kick and Hyatt buried it. The Bears carried the 2-0 lead into the break.

The second half turned into a shootout, with three goals scored. The Pioneers finally broke through in the 67th minute. Utica junior midfielder Jenna Mazza (Frankford, N.Y./Sauquoit Valley) stole the ball away from a Potsdam defender on the left side and fed junior midfielder Abby Reilly (Brookfield, N.Y./Brookfield) at the top of the box. Hobika charged out to challenge, but only got a piece of the shot. The Bears picked up their play after the score. Three minutes later, Wagner robbed Morr with a dive to her right. At 72:39, junior midfielder Rylie Murray (Berkley, Mich./Berkley) sent a long ball ahead and Falsion caught it in stride and beat Wagner to make it 3-1. The Pioneers answered at 84:07. Freshman midfielder Emily Craft (Ellenville, N.Y./Ellenville) found freshman midfielder Emily Mildner (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush) at the left side of the box and she rang the right post to close the gap to one goal. Potsdam allowed only one shot after the goal and Hobika handled the slow hop with 31 seconds remaining to seal the win.

Wagner stopped seven shots for Utica. The Bears outshot the Pioneers 15-11 and had a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.

With her goal, Falsion has 54 career points (24g, 6a), one point behind hall of famer Cortney Poirier-Graney (2009-10) for fifth place on the all-time scoring list. Murray's assist moves her into a tie for 14th with Danielle Pappas (1989-92) on 31 points (8g, 15a).

The Bears are now 4-0-1 in the last five meetings with the Pioneers and have evened the all-time series at 11-11-1.

Potsdam is back in action tomorrow at 4 p.m. when Elmira College comes to Maxcy Turf field.