The SUNY Potsdam men’s lacrosse team was competitive against a national power on Saturday, but was ultimately defeated 14-2 against No. 5 Cortland in a State University of New York Athletic Conference showdown at Cortland, N.Y.

Despite the loss, the Bears (6-8 overall, 3-2 SUNYAC) have put themselves in position to wrap up a spot in the four-team SUNYAC Tournament with a win on Wednesday against Oswego. Potsdam could host a semifinal game with a win and at least one more loss each by Geneseo and Plattsburgh.

Sophomore Robbie Ashlaw (North Syracuse, N.Y.) finished with two points to lead Potsdam, which was outshot 48-18 but picked up four more ground balls (34-30).

The Bears held Cortland (11-2, 4-0) in check for most of the first half, allowing just two goals over the first 23 minutes. However, the Red Dragons scored four times in the final seven minutes of the first half to take a commanding 6-0 lead, one they stretched to 10-0 just under seven minutes into the third quarter.

“Cortland is an awfully good team … they are ranked as high as they are for a reason,” Potsdam coach Rick Berkman said. “We played pretty well. It was a close game, but we had a few penalties in the third quarter and they started to pull away.”

Ashlaw put Potsdam on the board with a goal at the 4:49 mark of the third quarter off a pass from junior Peter Pike (Watertown, N.Y.). Sophomore Kyle Nicholas (Syracuse, N.Y.) struck just under a minute later, assisted by Ashlaw, to make it a 10-2 score.

Senior Pat Corbine (Canton, N.Y.) took the loss in goal for the Bears, allowing 10 goals while posting six saves in just under 49 minutes of action. Sophomores Paul Gordon (Maine, N.Y.) and Stefan Sloma (Niskayuna, N.Y.) saw action in relief.

Potsdam closes out the regular season at home this Wednesday at 4 p.m. against Oswego.