POTSDAM, N.Y.—Just as they did a week ago, second-seed SUNY Plattsburgh (13-5) used a big second half to defeat the third-seed SUNY Potsdam lacrosse team (7-8) 15-7 in the SUNYAC Semifinals on Wednesday afternoon.  Junior attackman Ed Doherty (Amherst, N.Y./Amherst) scored three goals for the Bears and senior captain Jon Woodworth (Great Bend, N.Y./Carthage) had a goal and two assists. Brendan Damm matched last week's performance with three goals and three assists to pace the Cardinals.

Plattsburgh got off to a quick start with three goals in the opening 6:32, including back-to-back man-up goals from Brendan Cefalu and Mike Gay. Junior midfielder Matt Kennedy (Clay, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) got Potsdam on the board at 3:40 and Doherty closed the gap to one 53 seconds later with an assist from sophomore midfielder Casey Boulio (Carthage, N.Y./Carthage).

Jack Felter made it a 4-2 game with 5:53 left in the second quarter, but Potsdam answered with two goals in a nine-second span. Freshman attackman Dalston Day (Akwesasne, N.Y./Salmon River) scored at the 4:50 mark. Junior long-stick middie Lindsey Pound (Henderson, N.Y./Immaculate Heart) won the following face-off and fired the ball to Doherty who tied the score. Andy Krolczyk put the Cardinals back in front with five seconds left in the half.

Junior midfielder Brian Martin (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) tied the game at 13:43 of the third quarter, but Plattsburgh answered with an 8-0 run carrying into the fourth quarter. Damm scored all three of his goals during the stretch.

Doherty broke the streak with an assist from Woodworth and the Bears trailed 13-6 with 9:50 to go. The Cardinals tacked on two more, including another man-up goal at 2:45, but Woodworth closed the scoring at 15-7 with 45 seconds on the clock.

In goal, junior Pete Gropp (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) finished with 15 saves, while Matt Massaria earned the win with 14 saves for the Cardinals.

The game marks the end of the careers of Potsdam seniors Woodworth, Nick Waseleski (Victor, N.Y./Victor) and Andrew Rupp (Victor, N.Y./Victor).

Plattsburgh advances to face top-seeded Cortland, a 21-5 winner over Oneonta in today's other semifinal, in Saturday's SUNYAC Championship.