POTSDAM, N.Y.--- The SUNY Potsdam women's soccer team (10-2-1, 3-1-1 SUNYAC) defeated the Oswego State Lakers (4-5-2, 1-3-1 SUNYAC) 3-1 on Saturday afternoon. The Bears defense smothered and frustrated the visitors all game long and the Lakers couldn't quite figure out how to counter. Junior goalkeeper Emma Allen (Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran/Onondaga C.C.) had several great saves for the Lakers, but Potsdam created chances for themselves all game long by moving the ball well in the midfield. Potsdam also put the pressure on Allen with 29 shots, twelve more than Oswego for the game. Oswego had their chances in the second half to get back into the game, but they weren't able to capitalize.

The Lakers challenged junior goalkeeper Delphine Léonard (Anjou, Quebec/Dawson College Prep) early in the first half, but couldn't solve her. Freshman midfielder Grasia Madden (Baldwinsville, N.Y./CW. Baker) nearly put the Lakers on the scoreboard early, but Léonard was there to deflect the ball with her hands. A few minutes later, junior defender Rachel DiCocco (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas) kicked the ball on target, but Léonard dived for her second save early in the contest. On offense, Potsdam kept the ball moving in the midfield to create scoring opportunities. The Bears took the lead at the 16:38 mark when sophomore fielder Lexi Dean (Schenectady, N.Y./Mohonasen) sent a high cross to senior midfielder Brooke Falsion (Brockport, N.Y./Brockport). She reacted quickly, to Allen's surprise, and headed the ball into the left corner of the goal. Oswego struggled to get quality shots in the first half of the contest due to the Bears' consistently tough defense. The Lakers however, found a crack in the armor late in the first period when senior defender Chloe Lonergan (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) sent the ball left to sophomore midfielder Mackenzie Schaffner (Baldwinsville, N.Y./CW. Baker) just outside of the box. Schaffner then kicked the ball just over Léonard to tie the game. The score remained even at the break.

Just under two minutes into the second half, senior midfielder Rylie Murray (East Aurora, N.Y./East Aurora) launched a shot 30 feet from the goal, off the crossbar and in for the eventual game-winner. Dean assisted on the goal. Dean was hungry to get her own tally and challenged Allen a numerous amount of times in the period, but the Allen was able to keep her from extending the lead. Desperate to get back into the game, the Lakers were able to get several attempts late in the second half. However, Léonard dived for the ball after a shot by junior defender Grace Muller (Oceanside, N.Y./Oceanside/Ferrum) and was able to save it. Sophomore midfielder Lynsey Roth (Syracuse, N.Y./Liverpool) got the rebound, but Léonard stonewalled her as well to keep the two-goal advantage. The Bears eventually extended their lead on a penalty kick that was perfectly placed by Murray and the score remained 3-1 at the final horn.

Léonard earned her 12th career victory with eight saves, while Allen had a strong day with 16.

Falsion's goal gives her 30 points (13g, 4a) for the season, setting a new single-season best. With 98 career points (42g, 14a) she is just four back of Hall of Famer Jodi Ziemba '07 for the program's all-time scoring mark. Murray's two goals give her 61 career points (17g, 27a), tying her for third on the Bears' scoring list with Erin Blandin '04. Dean's two assists give her 31 career points (12g, 7a), tying her for 17th place with Danielle Pappas '93.

At 3-1-1 in the SUNYAC, the Bears currently sit in second place with 10 points.

Next Potsdam, travels to New Paltz to take on the Hawks at 4 p.m. on Friday.