It took 110 minutes and a penalty kick shootout to determine a winner in Saturday's SUNYAC Women's Soccer Quarterfinal. The Blue Devils were up to the challenge, emerging victorious at the end of it all.
The matchup between Fredonia State (10-6-3, 5-3-1 SUNAYC) and New Paltz (7-5-4, 5-2-2 SUNYAC) was poised to go to the distance after the teams' original meeting on Oct. 15 finished as a 1-1 draw in double overtime.
The Blue Devils came out firing. At the 2:28 mark, Katie Sellers (Glenmont) chased down a ball that was cleared out of Fredonia State's own 18 by Nicki Barlow (Penfield).
The freshman forward slotted the ball home to take the early 1-0 advantage.
The remainder of the half saw chances from both teams until New Paltz was on the successful end of one of theirs.
The home team earned a corner in the 40th minute that the Blue Devils were unable to clear. A second attempt on the shot from New Paltz went right over an outstretched Sabrina Suriani (Manlius).
The goal sent the teams into halftime deadlocked.
For the remainder of the game, neither team was able to find the back of the net. Over the 65-minute time span, Fredonia took 11 shots and earned two corner kicks while New Paltz took eight shots and earned one corner kick.
One of Fredonia's shots came in the 60th minute from Kayleigh Daniels (North Tonawanda). The senior had a breakaway and took a shot right at the top of the 18. The Hawks' keeper timed the play perfectly and sent the ball away from danger.
With the score still at 1-1 at the end of regulation, the game headed to sudden victory overtime comprised of two, ten-minute periods.
Both overtime periods were quiet, with the Blue Devils' best opportunity coming halfway through the first period. Sellers sent a buzzing shot towards the top of the net. The Hawks' keeper came up with another perfect save to preserve the tie.
With neither team scoring in the sudden victory periods, the game headed to a penalty kick shootout. The penalty kick shootout allows both teams to take five attempts. If there isn't a winner after five attempts, the PKs would continue.
Fredonia State only needed five.
New Paltz took the advantage on the first go around, converting their attempt and Izzy Audette (Ballston Spa) missing theirs wide left. 1-0.
Both teams converted their second attempts. Fredonia State's goal came from Jordan Barrett (Wyoming, N.Y.). 2-1.
On the third attempt, Fredonia State evened the score. The Hawks missed wide left while Lexi Lindamer (Lewiston) put their shot home with ease. 2-2.
Fredonia State turned the tables on the fourth attempt. Suriani came up with a great save and Sophie Richiusa (Penfield) scored to take the advantage. 3-2.
Both teams scored in the final round. Since Fredonia State already held the advantage, Talia deFay's (Rochester, N.Y.) score proved to be the game-winner. 4-3.
The Blue Devils were led by Sellers' seven shots and five shots on goal and Suriani's seven saves.
Coach Chris Case was incredibly proud of the poise his squad showed down the stretch. He stated, "It was an extremely hard fought game on both sides and we were able to get off to a quick start. New Paltz made some great adjustments after the first 20 minutes."
He added, "I'm impressed with how the girls handled the pressure in PKs, especially after missing the first attempt. Sabrina came up with a huge save on the fourth shot to change the momentum. It was the best feeling seeing the excitement and joy on the kids' faces, they've been working so hard."
Fredonia State returns to action on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 3 p.m., when they will travel to host Geneseo for the SUNYAC Semifinals.
