POTSDAM -- The SUNY Potsdam men's soccer team showed grit and determination on Senior Day Saturday night, but were defeated 4-1 by Plattsburgh in a State University of New York Athletic Conference contest at Maxcy Hall Turf Field.

Senior Ian Gadbaw (Norwood, N.Y.) tallied the lone goal for the Bears in the 89th minute, taking a rebound off a free kick that was deflected by senior Ian Glaser (Naples, N.Y.).

It was the first of Gadbaw's career in his final game as one of eight seniors honored prior to the team's last contest of the season. "The guys worked hard, especially the seniors," Potsdam coach Adam Parker said. "No one quit this whole year, even though we've been out of the (SUNYAC) race for a few games."

The Cardinals (12-4-1 overall, 6-3 SUNYAC) struck just under 10 minutes into the second half, scoring on a corner kick in the 54th minute. The ball made it through a large crowd just before Plattsburgh's Mike Payne put it in the back of the net.

Plattsburgh, which outshot Potsdam 17-7 in the match, added insurance goals in the 74th, 81st and 83rd minutes. "When we went down one, we had to stretch it out defensively," Parker said. "It was just hard for us to keep up … the game was too open."

In the first half, neither team truly threatened despite the Cardinals' 7-2 shot advantage. The two teams combined for just one shot on goal as much of the action took place between the boxes.

Potsdam struck with a pair of good chances early in the second half as senior Jon Reeves (Macedon, N.Y.) and junior Chris Mack (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) each had good looks at the goal.

Reeves was stopped on a free kick, while Mack, who was played through on a long ball, fired a shot saved in the corner by the keeper. "We had that free kick, and I don't know how the goalkeeper got it, he couldn't have seen it until late," Parker said. "If that had gone in, you never know … goals change games."

Prior to the match, Parker, who is in his first year as head coach, recognized the team's eight seniors, including captains Reeves and Tim Ciampa (Castleton, N.Y.), the program's only fourth-year seniors. The Bears finish the 2010 season with a 2-13-2 overall record, including a 1-8 mark in SUNYAC play.

Potsdam suffered eight one-goal losses during the season, including four in a row during a stretch from Oct. 8-16. With the high number of seniors departing due to graduation, Parker knows there is work to be done in the offseason and on the recruiting trail to prepare for the 2011 season. "I'm proud of the seniors," Parker said.

"With the returners, we know what we have to do have a better record next year."