POTSDAM -- The SUNY Potsdam women’s soccer team rolled to a 4-0 victory over Wells in their season opener.

Sophomore Ashley Thayer (Winthrop, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central) and junior Heather Johnson (Heuvelton, N.Y./Heuvelton) each scored twice to give new Bears Head Coach Mark Misiak his first win.

Potsdam wasted no time as Thayer struck just 1:44 into the contest. The Bears settled into a lull for next 15 minutes, but got things moving again before halftime.

Potsdam turned up the pressure and Johnson got her first, unassisted at the 22:41 mark. Thirteen minutes later she increased the lead to 3-0 and with under five minutes to go in the half Thayer completed the scoring.

The Bears didn’t let up in the second half, outshooting the Express 18-5, but didn’t find the back of the net again. Freshman goalkeepers Katrina Rowland (Churchville, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) and Erika Hoad (Watkins Glen, N.Y./Watkins Glen) weren’t tested as they combined for the shutout.

Megan Lawrence stopped 10 shots for Wells. Misiak was pleased with the performance, but sees room for improvement.

“Ashley scored early so we couldn’t have asked for a better start,” said Misiak. “I thought we moved the ball very well, the way we’ve practiced it. We need to execute better offensively. We didn’t finish very well, but I’d be more concerned if we hadn’t created so many scoring chances.”

The Bears (1-0) are back in action at noon on Saturday, Sept. 3, when they take on the Alfred Saxons in the first round of the Alfred Tournament.