POTSDAM, N.Y.—Plattsburgh State (9-5, 3-1 SUNYAC) overcame a quick start by the SUNY Potsdam men’s lacrosse team (5-6, 1-3) to hand the Bears a 14-9 defeat at Maxcy Hall on Wednesday afternoon. Junior attackman Joey Kramer had five goals and three assists to lead the Cardinals. Sophomore midfielder Jared Flath had two goals and five assists to pace Potsdam.

The Bears raced out to a 3-0 lead over the first 2:56. Flath won the opening faceoff, sprinted down the field and scored eight seconds into the contest. Just 47 seconds later, Flath set up senior captain Ryan Paparella. Flath then assisted as senior attackman Pete Pike made it 3-0 at 12:04. After the goal, the Cardinals erased the lead with five straight to close the quarter, including two from sophomore attackman Tim Lawrence.

Sophomore attackman Rob Kunz delayed Plattsburgh’s momentum with marker at 12:48 of the second quarter to cut the gap to 5-4. However, the Cardinals rattled off the next four to take control of the game. Plattsburgh got two from Kramer and two from Lawrence to make it 9-4 with 4:23 left in the half. Flath notched his third assist on a goal by junior midfielder Pat Morrill at 3:12 and the Bears trailed 9-5 at the break.

The Cardinals dominated time of possession in the third quarter and outshot Potsdam 16-2, but only added one goal to their lead. Kramer scored an unassisted marker at 7:32 and Plattsburgh led 10-5 after 45 minutes.

Kramer opened the final period with a man-up goal at the 12:32 mark for a six-goal Cardinal lead. Kunz answered with the help of Flath’s fourth assist at 11:11, but Plattsburgh junior attackman Tommy Kilderry scored a man-down goal two minutes later to restore the six-goal advantage. Flath scored a man-up goal at 8:36 and junior attackman Kyle Nicholas added an even strength tally at 5:42 to get Potsdam to within 12-8. Plattsburgh made a final charge two minutes later with another man-up goal from Kramer and a final score from junior attackman Brett McClelland. With three seconds on the clock, Flath set up Kunz to close the scoring at 14-9.

In goal, senior Mike Quinlan made 14 saves for the Bears. Cardinal junior goalie Gordie Gehring made seven saves to earn the victory.

Plattsburgh outshot the Bears 43-26 and collected 37 ground balls to Potsdam’s 30.

The Bears are back in action on Saturday, April 21, when they head to Geneseo for a 1 p.m. contest.