Fredonia rallied to earn a 1-1 tie with SUNY Buffalo State in SUNYAC men's soccer Saturday afternoon.
Ryan Ross (Grand Island) converted a 2-on-1 breakaway early in the 58th minute on a pass from Matt Belardi (Niagara Falls, N.Y.). It was the team-leading fourth goal of the season for Ross and came just under two minutes after SUNY Buffalo State had taken a 1-0 lead.
Fredonia sophomore goalkeeper Ty Bentham (Columbus, Ind.) made nine saves. The Blue Devils finished the day at 5-4-1 overall and 0-2-1 in the SUNYAC.
"It was a gutsy effort today by our guys," Fredonia Head Coach P.J. Gondek said. "We were hoping for three points and had chances to win it but, in the end, it (the tie) is something positive to build on. It was a battle out there, like most SUNYAC games, and we were up to the challenge."
Each team earned one point for its school in the season-long Battle By The Lake. Fredonia leads the current standings, 5-1.
Fredonia plays its final non-conference regular season game Tuesday when Alfred visits University Stadium at 7 p.m. The Blue Devil women are also in action 5 p.m. Tuesday.
