POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam women’s soccer team gave up a late goal and settled for a 1-1 tie with visiting New England College. Freshman midfielder Kate Clauss (Bloomfield, N.Y./Bloomfield) scored her first career goal for the Bears and sophomore forward Kristen Walker (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) got the equalizer for the Pilgrims.

The Bears had several great chances early in the first half. Sophomore forward Ashley Thayer (Winthrop, N.Y./St. Lawrence Central) drove a shot off the crossbar just minutes into the contest. Moments later junior forward Stephanie Cox (Parishville, N.Y./Parishville-Hopkinton) chipped a Thayer cross off the right post. Potsdam finally broke through as freshman defender Tannicia Joseph (Center Moriches, N.Y./Center Moriches) fed Clauss, who maneuvered by a Pilgrim defender and blasted a shot past New England freshman goalkeeper Tricia Sardagnola (Shrewsbury, Mass./Assabet Valley). Potsdam’s offense slowed and the hosts took a 1-0 lead into the half.

The Bears were slow to get moving in the second half as well, but the defense kept New England’s offense cold as well. About 10 minutes into the half Walker nearly broke free on the left side of the goal, but a Potsdam defender broke up the play at the last second. Most of the play remained in the midfield until the 83rd minute. Pilgrim freshman forward Kaylee Thrasher (Candia, N.H./Central) worked the ball in close, but was stuffed on a point blank shot by Bears senior goalkeeper Dedra Palmer (Whitesboro, N.Y./Whiteboro). However, Walker was in position for the rebound and drove it home to knot the score at 1-1. The goal seemed to wake up the Bears’ offense and they responded with several chances as time wore down, but were unable to score. Neither team threatened in two ten-minute overtime periods.

Potsdam outshot the Pilgrims 23-10. Palmer finished with five saves for Potsdam and Sardagnola made 11 stops for the Pilgrims.

Bears Head Coach Mark Misiak was understandably frustrated with the outcome.

“It’s upsetting that we had several good chances to score goals today and we didn’t capitalize on our chances,” said Misiak. “I’ve always said that if you let teams hang around, you leave yourself open to be punished and unfortunately, that’s what happened today. It’s disappointing that we had so many great chances and we didn’t find the back of the net. We have to remedy that going into conference play.”

The Bears are back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m., when they host SUNY Canton for the second annual Boyd Jones Cup. The contest is in memory of the late Boyd Jones, who served as the sports information director at both schools, but was at Potsdam from 2000 to November 2009 when he passed away unexpectedly at his home. Potsdam defeated the Roos 3-0 in the first cup game on Oct. 5, 2010.