The Oswego State women's lacrosse team defeated Potsdam 17-12 at Laker Field on Tuesday afternoon. The victory improved Oswego State's record to 5-6 on the year and 2-2 in SUNY Athletic Conference action. The Bears dropped their fourth straight game and are now 4-6 overall and 1-4 in the SUNYAC.

The game was evenly played through the first 15 minutes of the first half and was tied at 2-2 after Collen Ventura and Rachel Ventresca scored for the Lakers, only to have those goals answered by Potsdam's Allie Nettles, who scored two in a row.

Rachel Ventresca scored twice for Oswego State in the span of 47 seconds to build the lead to 4-2 in favor of the Lakers with 11 minutes left in the half, and then Bri Borrow and Alisha Sarubbi scored late in the first half for Oswego State to hold a 6-2 advantage at halftime.

Oswego State extended its scoring run early in the second half with four goals in a row, including two by Michelle MenDell, to take a 10-2 lead but Potsdam fought back to make the game close. The SUNYAC's leading goal-scorer, Alisha Schaad, scored all five of her goals down the stretch and Potsdam drew as close as four goals at 13-9 and 15-11, but the Lakers held on for the victory.

Oswego State was paced by Rachel Ventresca with five goals and two assists and Michelle MenDell with five goals and one assist. Ashley Andersen and Bri Borrow each scored twice, and Alisha Sarubbi had a goal and two assists. Goalie Shannon O'Brien made nine saves.

Schaad had five goals for the Bears and Nettles had two goals. Molly Lehman-Lewis had a goal and an assist. Goalkeeper Lindsay Myers had 16 saves in the game.

The Lakers return to action on Wednesday at 4 p.m. against Elmira, in the second contest during a five-game homestand.