POTSDAM -- Scoring in the early going, the Clarkson University Men's Lacrosse team never trailed in its game against Brockport, but the Golden Knights also never led by more than a goal throughout the contest, barely outlasting the Golden Eagles 5-4 in non-league action Saturday afternoon at Hantz Turf Field.

The Golden Knights improved to 2-1 overall on the season and will face crosstown rival Potsdam State on Wednesday. Brockport fell to 0-3 with their second one-goal defeat of the season.

The Golden Eagles possessed a significant shot advantage early on, but few of their attempts were on the mark. It was Clarkson that would record the first goal of the contest when senior Matt McCabe (Syracuse, NY) scored his third goal of the season with help from Corey Herrington (Camillus, NY) midway through the first period.

Brockport's Tim Cook would score later on in the first quarter, starting a trend that would last throughout the game. In the second quarter, the two teams traded goals before Clarkson finally edged out in front near the end of period as senior Jeff Sciera (DeWitt, NY) tallied on a pass from McCabe.

At the start of the second half, Brockport quickly tied things up once again, this time with Jesse Elliott scoring on a pass from Riley Austin, and it took Clarkson more than eight minutes to respond when Peter Goss (Jamesville, NY) picked up his only score of the game on a pass from McCabe with 5:58 remaining.

Though the scoring was coming at a plodding pace prior to that goal, it would cease all together after that score. The two teams combined for just nine shots in a scoreless fourth quarter as neither team could find the net for the final 21 minutes of the contest.

Senior Ryan Cole (Orchard Park, NY) was strong in the Clarkson crease once again, making 12 saves for the Golden Knights, while Brockport's Corey Banwaree made eight stops.

Brockport had a 36-22 edge in shots, but when it came to shots on goal the advatage shrunk to 16-13. Junior Rick Clement (Cotuit, MA) led Clarkson with five groundballs, while faceoff specialist Keenan Sullivan had six groundballs and eight face off wins in 13 tries for Brockport.

McCabe led the Knights with three points on a goal and two assists, while Sciera chipped in a pair of goals. Goss and Matt Gold (Pittsford, NY) also each added a goal while Herrington chipped in an assist.

For Brockport, Jesse Elliott scored three times and Tim Cook also produced a goal, while Riley Austin had two assists.