POTSDAM, N.Y.--- The SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team (4-2-1) defeated the RPI Engineers (2-3-1) 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at Maxcy Turf Field in what was an evenly matched contest for over 90 minutes. The teams were smart on both sides of the ball. Reacting to what the other was doing and moving the ball well but no team was able to score in regulation. It looked like the game was going to end in a draw. However, with 1:22 to go in the first overtime, junior forward Alejandro Callejas (Brentwood, N.Y./Brentwood) scored to give the Bears victory. The Engineers edged the Bears in shots (16-12) and corner kicks (7-2) but they weren't able to prevent to the dagger from Callejas late in OT.

The first forty-five minutes of action were back and forth, but ended in a scoreless tie. The teams were almost identical in first half stats with five fouls each, one save each, and the Engineers slightly outshooting the Bears 4-3. Both teams had good ball movement in the half, but denied opportunities on defense with great anticipation. In particular, with about 11 minutes left in the half, RPI had a three-on-three in transition with one player being able to get a shot off, but Potsdam junior goalie Jakeb Mitchell (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport) slid and scooped up the ball.

The Engineers best chance of the game came early in the second half when they received a penalty kick after a slide tackle from Potsdam. Junior forward Dylan Confair (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) bounced the penalty kick wide around the side of the goal. Confair then got the rebound but Mitchell, was in position to smother the ball and keep the game even. It was Potsdam's turn to see their best chance of regulation at the 56:51 mark when junior midfielder Teddy Bruschini (Wilton, N.Y./South Glens Falls) had control of the ball in transition and fired just wide of the right side of the goal. Bruschini had several great attempts late in the half. Goalkeeper Mitchell had another great save late when RPI junior forward Austin Betterly (who had a Potsdam's defense men trailing him) got a kick off but Mitchell deflected it with his head and the ball went wide.

The Engineers brought more pressure in the extra period. That was until Bruschini dished the ball to Callejas who used the defense as a screen and got a shot off before junior goalkeeper Matt LaBranche C (Wilbraham, Mass./Minnechaugh) could react at the 98:38 mark.

LaBranche had four saves for the Engineers, while Mitchell had seven for the Bears. The win was the 12th of Mitchell's career, giving him fourth place on the program's all-time wins list.

The Bears are now off until they host SUNY Geneseo to open SUNYAC play next Friday, September 21 at 4 p.m.