POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women’s lacrosse team (3-3) defeated Clarkson University (1-1) 13-12 in a home non-conference contest on Friday afternoon. Junior Sierra Langkammerer (Fayetteville, N.Y./Fayetteville-Manlius) and senior Samantha Brown (Rochester, N.Y./Eastridge) each scored four goals for the Bears. Sophomore Alyssa Cristaldi (North Syracuse, N.Y./Cicero-N. Syracuse) had a big day for the Golden Knights with three goals and two assists.

Potsdam jumped out in front on goals from Brown and Langkammerer at 26:29 and 24:49 and never trailed. After the teams traded goals over the rest of the half, Brown notched her second with 20 seconds left and the Bears took a 6-5 lead into the half.

Brown opened the second period scoring with a free position goal just 55 seconds into the half, sparking a 3-1 Potsdam run. Langkammerer capped the run at 22:41 to give the Bears their biggest lead at 9-6. Clarkson responded with a 3-0 run to even the score at the 15:58, on goals from sophomore Kerrie Cline (Tuxedo, N.Y./Albertus Magnus), senior Catherine Burgess (Watertown, N.Y./Jefferson Community College), and freshman Marissa Mastronardi (Cortland, N.Y./Cortland). Potsdam answered with a 4-2 run to take a 13-11 lead capped with a goal from Langkammerer with 6:25 to play. The Bears were unable to extend the lead and Cristaldi scored with 1:08 remaining to make it a 13-12 contest. The Knights kept up the pressure and nearly tied the game with 34 seconds left. After a Potsdam foul, Clarkson junior Saryn Campbell (West Bolton, N.Y./Mount Mansfield) fired a shot from right out in front, but Bears junior goalie Kaci Milligan (Liverpool, N.Y./Bishop Ludden) made the save to preserve the win.

Milligan finished with 10 saves and Golden Knight junior goalie Hannah Walters (Amherst, N.H./Derryfield) stopped 14 shots. Richards scored two goals and recorded an assist for Potsdam. Cline Cambell, Mastronardi, and sophomore Katie VanDeValk (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) each scored two goals for Clarkson.

Potsdam Head Coach Lauren Bruce saw her veteran leaders as key part of the win.

"The voices of our veterans on attack, particularly Carly Richards, (junior) Aubrey Macintosh (Burnt Hills, N.Y./Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake), Maribeth Simmons and Sam Brown, kept everyone on the same page,” said Bruce. “"I thought we stayed composed offensively and committed to our roles within the plays. Our possession off of successful clears was also good. We just played with more composure today.”

Bruce said a long memory also served her Bears well.

"Last year against Clarkson we led after the first half and ended up losing,” added Bruce. “I think the loss motivated our team to work harder in the offseason. A win like this should give us momentum heading into conference play."

Potsdam is back in action tomorrow when the Bears host the Rensselaer Red Hawks at 2 p.m.