The SUNY Potsdam women's lacrosse team got the 2014 season off to a rousing start by defeating Clarkson University 10-8 at Hantz Turf Field on Friday afternoon.

The game had originally been scheduled to take place on Thursday, but had to be pushed up a day due to sub 20-degree weather. Friday's warm up to the upper 30's allowed the season opener to occur for both teams.

Sophomore attacker Bri McClusky (Watertown, N.Y. / Immaculate Heart) matched a single-game career best with three goals, while sophomore midfielder Brittany Blake (South Glens Falls, N.Y. / South Glens Falls) and junior midfielder Margaret Wall (Rochester, N.Y. / Aquinas) scored two goals apiece to lift the Bears.

McClusky converted on her lone free position shot and last tallied three goals in a game back on April 7 of last year against SUNY Canton.

The game saw four ties and was tied as late as 7-7 when Golden Knights' Danielle Faivus knotted the score with 9:22 remaining in the game on an assist from Christine Wright.

Less than a minute later, McClusky put Potsdam up for good with an unassisted goal at the 8:29 mark of the second half. Blake added onto the lead with another goal just 25 seconds later to give the Bears a 9-7 advantage.

Wall padded the lead on an assist from junior Emily Petit (Queensbury, N.Y. / Queensbury) with just 56 seconds left and Faivus scored again from Wright to conclude the scoring.

Petit demonstrated big hustle throughout by picking up team-highs of seven groundballs and four caused turnovers. Junior Bailey Weigel (East Amherst, N.Y. / Williamsville East) led the Bears with five draw controls.

Ashley Flick had three goals while Faivus and Paige Fayette each scored twice for Clarkson.

Bears senior goaltender Jen Chmiel (Rochester, N.Y. / Eastridge) made 10 saves to pick up the victory. Golden Knights counterpart Kara DiNatale made eight saves, but was saddled with the loss after allowing nine goals in 55:37 minutes of action. Dani Tani played 4:23 in goal and allowed one goal.

Potsdam will return to the field Saturday at 12 p.m. and will play Utica College (1-1). The game will once again be moved to Clarkson University's Hantz Turf Field due to icy field conditions at Maxcy Turf Field.