Knights Survive Late Run By Bears In 8-7 Win

Matthew Gold scored a game-high four goals in the Knights' win at Potsdam - photo by Gary Mikel

Potsdam, NY – Sophomore Matt Gold (Pittsford, NY) scored four times, including three in the first period, and the Clarkson University Men’s Lacrosse team pitched a first-half shutout en route to a narrow 8-7 victory over crosstown rival Potsdam State Wednesday afternoon.

The Golden Knights improved to 3-1 on the season, while Potsdam saw its record evened at 1-1. Clarkson will host Geneseo at 1:00 pm on Saturday afternoon at Hantz Turf Field. It was the sixth straight win for the Golden Knights over the Bears, and Clarkson improved to 12-2 in the 21st century against Potsdam.

Although Potsdam won the initial faceoff and had the first shot of the game, it was Clarkson that dominated the first quarter in all aspects of the game. The Knights had a 14-5 edge in shots and a 10-4 advantage in groundballs, but most importantly Clarkson scored six times in a span of just over seven minutes to take an overwhelming advantage. Senior Jeff Sciera (DeWitt, NY) kicked off the scoring and classmate Matt McCabe (Syracuse, NY) followed 58 seconds later before Gold scored three straight goals for the Knights. Corey Herrington (Camillus, NY) ended the barrage 40 seconds after Gold’s last goal of the first period, giving the Knights a 6-0 lead.

The second quarter was quiet for both teams, but Clarkson extended its lead to seven when Gold scored again midway through the third quarter. Potsdam did not give up, however, and scored five straight goals to pull within two, 7-5, with three and a half minutes to go in the fourth. Junior Peter Goss (Jamesville, NY) scored a key goal with less than two minutes to go, returning the advantage to three, but Potsdam’s Robbie Ashlaw scored twice in the final 1:11 to make it a one-goal contest. However, it was as close as the Bears would get, as senior goalkeeper Ryan Cole (Orchard Park, NY) made his 14th save of the contest with 19 seconds left and secured the groundball to start the final clear of the game, closing out the match.

Clarkson held a 39-34 edge in shots, but was outdone in the fourth quarter by a difference of 14-7. The Knights also had a 36-23 edge in groundballs and won 13 of the 19 faceoffs.

Dylan Broomfield (Clinton, NY) had a team-best six groundballs and won 12 faceoffs in 18 attempts for Clarkson, while Cole pitched in six groundballs to go along with his 14 saves. For Potsdam, Stefan Sloma had 19 saves.

Gold led the team with four points, scoring four goals, while McCabe and Herrington each pitched in a goal and two assists each. Goss also had a goal and an assist. In four career games against the Bears, McCabe scored five goals and nine assists.

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