Potsdam, NY – Two of the top defenses in the region faced off against one another on Tuesday afternoon and the Clarkson University Men’s Lacrosse team was able to come out on top with a strong final 45 minutes, downing SUNY Potsdam 10-6 at Hantz Field.
The Golden Knights improved to 7-1 on the year and will next face Vassar College this weekend. The Bears suffered their first defeat of 2026, dropping to 5-1.
Clarkson got on top early with a Robert Fox man-up goal, but the Bears picked up three straight scores by the middle of the opening quarter, including two separated by just 10 seconds. However, the Clarkson defense clamped down after that, allowing just one goal early in the second quarter in a stretch of 35 minutes from the end of the first through the completed of the third quarter. In that time, the Knights came back, tying the game by the end of the first, then again early on in the second, and taking the lead for good on an Ian Erskine goal at 7:53 in the second quarter.
The Knights slowly expanded the margin to four goals by the start of the fourth quarter when Connor Holly found Peter Siracuse, making it 8-4. Potsdam ended its 40-minute scoreless drought at 9:26 thanks to Ronin Oakes, but the defenses on both sides continued to make open looks rare as every clear and transition was challenged by each team.
Clarkson ended the game with a 54-25 edge in total shots and a 33-18 lead in shots on goal, with a significant 19-2 and 10-1 advantage in those figures in the second quarter alone. The Knights also had a 47-27 advantage in groundballs.
Jack Garvey notched seven caused turnovers and four groundballs in the game and Dylan Coan also added six caused turnovers. Steve Getsie picked up four groundballs and also added three caused turnovers, as did Tristen Dillon. Griffin Emerson had an impressive .667 save percentage in the game with 12 saves on 18 shots on goal, also adding in five groundballs. On offense, William Goyette led the team with four points on two goals and two assists and Connor Holly chipped in a goal and two assists. Ethan Hopkins also found the back of the net twice.
For SUNY Potsdam, Damyn LeClair caused four turnovers, Ryan Wassmer forced three turnovers, and Alex Farben-Griggs picked up seven groundballs along with his three caused turnovers. Saka Thompson tied his collegiate-high with 23 saves, keeping the Bears close throughout the contest. Brydon Goddard and Billy Kozloski each had two points with a goal and an assist.