Castleton, Vt.—The SUNY Potsdam men’s soccer team shook off a slow start to force overtime before falling 2-1 to Castleton State. Junior midfielder A.J. Ramirez (Glens Falls, N.Y./Glens Falls) scored for the Bears in 52nd minute.

The Spartans (3-3-0) controlled the game in the first half, pressuring the Potsdam defense from the outset. Castleton State scored its first goal in at the 21:32 mark as Billy Lund set up Trevor Kotrady for a 1-0 lead.

In the second half, the Bears slowly worked their way back into the contest until Ramirez buried his first goal of the season. Ramirez received the ball about 35-yards out, evaded three Spartans, and tapped a shot past Castleton State goalkeeper Andy LaCroix to even the score. At the 62:50 mark, Potsdam was called for a foul in the box and the Spartans were awarded a penalty kick. On the kick Josh Costa fired a shot toward the lower left corner of the net, but Bears’ sophomore goalkeeper Joe Glackin made a diving stop keep the score tied. Glackin made six of his 10 total saves in second half to help Potsdam get to overtime.

The play was very even in the overtime period until just over a minute remaining. In the 99th minute, Costa got his revenge, taking control of a loose ball in the box and firing the game-winner past Glackin.

Potsdam Head Coach Adam Parker looked to the positives after the close contest.

“After coming out a bit flat early, we worked hard to get back into the game in the second half,” said Parker. “A.J. Ramirez scored a great goal. He and Bobby Kane (Glensfalls, N.Y./Glensfalls) played well again today.”

The Bears (1-4-1) host Geneseo in their home and SUNYAC opener on Sept. 24, at 4 p.m. Potsdam will then face Brockport at 2 p.m. the following day.