Imani Paluku (photo by Ron Szot)
The Fredonia State men's soccer team came away with a 3-2 victory over the Allegheny Gators at University Stadium on Saturday. After a scoreless first half, Ibra Doumbia (New York/Business of Sports School), Jay Merlo (Stony Brook/Ward Melville) and Michael Ranieri (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Niagara Falls) all scored in the second half, as the Devils evened their season mark at 3-3-2.
"We were hoping to take the cover that has been on the goal off today," said head coach P.J. Gondek. "After missing two penalty kicks in the first half I was not sure it was going to happen. Credit to the guys for staying confident and coming back after [getting behind 1-0]."
After a scoreless first half, Allegheny's Jacob LeSane punched in the game's first score in the 53rd minute.
The Devils would answer twice in the next five-and-a-half minutes.
Fredonia's Doumbia tied the score in the 58th minute. Samuel Johnson (Canandaigua/Canandaigua) passed the ball through a crowded box where Doumbia collected the ball and slipped it in the right corner past the Allegheny netminder.
Twentyseven seconds later Allegheny's Aiden Houlgate tried to clear the ball. Merlo came in and blocked the kick directly into the goal to give Fredonia its first lead.
Fredonia upped the lead to 3-1 in the 76th minute when Ranieri scored his first goal of the season on an assist from Matt Cullen (East Northport/East Northport).
Allegheny did not give in. With 3:34 left, they scored off a free kick to pull within a goal, 3-2. The Devils controlled the ball late in the game and would hold on for the win.
Ty Bentham (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North) made two saves and surrendered both goals in Fredonia's net. Allegheny's Nick Ferreira made five saves -- including a pair of penalty kicks -- and allowed all three goals.
Allegheny falls to 1-6 while the Devils improve to 3-3-2.
Fredonia hits the road next week, opening SUNYAC play in the North Country. "We hope to heal up and get some key players back in the lineup before a crucial opening weekend at Plattsburgh and Potsdam," said Gondek.
