| 1/9/2004 9:48:47 PM

ROCHESTER, NY -- RIT's Darren Doherty (Duoro, Ont./Cobourg Cougars) (Douro, Ont.) scored at the 4:12 mark of the third period to give RIT a 3-2 lead. The goal would prove to be the game-winner as RIT defeated Potsdam State (6-7-1), 3-2 this evening at Ritter Arena. RIT came into the game ranked 13th in the latest Division III poll and improve to 6-4-2 on the season.

RIT got on the board first at 6:50 of he first period when Brent Macovi (Stoney Creek, Ont./Hamilton Kilty Bees) (Stoney Creek, Ont.) scored on assists from Ryan Francke (Long Point, Ont./St. Thomas Stars) (Long Point, Ont.) and Tristan Fairbarn (Innisfill, Ont./Newmarket Hurricanes) (Innisfill, Ont.). Francke took a pass from Fairbarn and blasted a shot from the point that was deflected in by Macovi, giving RIT a 1-0. Potsdam State tied the game at 1-1 at the 12:18 mark of the first on a goal by Mark Hathaway. Ryan Francke (Long Point, Ont./St. Thomas Stars) made it 2-1 RIT with his goal late in the period. Francke took a pass from Michael Tucciarone (Richmond Hill, Ont./Stouffville Spirit) (Richmond Hill, Ont.) and blasted a shot from the point that beat Ryan Venturelli for the goal. RIT out shot the Bears 13-11 in the first as George Eliopoulos (Markham, Ont./St. Michaels Buzzers) (Markham, Ont.) made 10 saves for RIT in the first.

The lone goal in the second came from the Bears. Phil Aubry scored at the 8:51 mark of the period on assists from Mark Stewart and Ryan Mattison, tying the score at 2-2. RIT generated some solid scoring chances late in the period but Venturelli was sharp making 14 saves in the period.

RIT came out in the third and kept the pressure on Potsdam State. At the 4:12 mark of the third Sophomore Darren Doherty (Duoro, Ont./Cobourg Cougars) snuck home a goal on assists from Tristan Fairbarn (Innisfill, Ont./Newmarket Hurricanes) and Jason Chafe (Stoney Creek, Ont./Burlington Cougars) (St. Catharine's, Ont.) giving the Tigers a 3-2 lead. RIT's defense stiffened, killing off the final 16 minutes without a goal scored. Eliopoulos, who played one his strongest games of the season, made 14 saves in the third.

RIT out shot Potsdam State 41-36 for the game as Eliopoulos finished with 34 saves. Ryan Venturelli made 38 saves for Potsdam, who fall to 6-7-12 on the season. RIT went 0-1 on the power play and killed off all three power play opportunities for Potsdam State. RIT will host #7 Curry College on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.