Katie Sellers (7) scored the game winner at Oneonta.
A win at Oneonta State on Saturday put the Fredonia State women's soccer team one step closer to a playoff spot. After a scoreless first half, Katie Sellers (Glenmont) scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal from a pass off a free kick in the 65th minute as the Devils held on for the 1-0 road victory. The Devils clinched the playoff berth with an Oswego loss later Saturday.
The Devils improve to 9-5-2 and 4-2-1 in the SUNYAC. Oneonta slumps to 1-5-1 and 1-10-1.
The Devils took down Oswego,1-0, back on Oct. 2.
With wet weather and slow going, the Devils would finally get on the board midway through the second half.
A yellow card was given to Oneonta's Shannon Lowney just outside the goal box. Sophie Richiusa (Penfield) took the free kick for the Devils and passed it into the box. A darting Sellers collected the ball as the Oneonta goalie Claire Lepper slipped as she charged Sellers in an attempt to block her shot. Sellers found the next from short range.
It was her fifth goal of the season.
"After a sub par first half we bounced back and played better in the second half," said head coach Chris Case. "It was a driving rainstorm the whole game so it was quite difficult to find our rhythm. A lot of credit to the girls for finding a way to get the win."
The Devils controlled much of the action outshooting the Red Dragons, 10-4, for the game. Gabby Alston (Niskayuna) led all players with four shots. Sabrina Suriani (Manlius) made two saves in net for Fredonia State. Oneonta's Lepper made four saves.
Oneonta had a 4-3 edge in corner kicks,
The Devils finish off the regular season next weekend with home contests versus Brockport on Friday, and Geneseo on Saturday. The top six teams make the tournament, with Nos. 1 and 2 earning a first-round bye. Seeds 3 and 4 are awarded a home semi-final match.
