Fredonia ran its record to 10-2 overall and 3-1 in the SUNYAC with a 7-5 victory Saturday over the New Paltz Hawks.
The win sets up a match-up of nationally ranked teams Tuesday at University Stadium, as No. 18 Geneseo will travel to No. 20 Fredonia for a game that is likely to influence playoff seeding and bids to the NCAA tournament.
Emily Polizzi (Rushville, N.Y. / Marcus Whitman) and Kristie Kleine (Cazenovia, N.Y. / Cazenovia) had two goals each for the Blue Devils, who extended their string of seasons with 10 wins or more to five straight. In the process, Fredonia improved to 12-0 all-time vs. New Paltz.
After Polizzi's second goal at the 16:51 mark in the first half, both teams went without a goal for the next 35 minutes. Nineteen shots were taken during that time and 12 combined saves from the goaltenders. New Paltz's Kelsey Healy broke the scoring drought at the 16:48 mark.
In the second half, goals by Sam Owen (Horseheads, N.Y. / Horseheads), her third, and Marissa Cussins (Corning, N.Y. / Corning-Painted Post West), her team-leading 47th, pushed Fredonia's lead to 7-3.
After a timeout by New Paltz with three minutes remaining, the Hawks closed the gap to 7-5 with two goals in 39 seconds, but the comeback bid would end there.
The Blue Devils put 29 shots on goal against the Hawks goaltender, Jakie Ulanoff, who came away with 22 saves in the game and a .759 save percentage.
Katie Kleine (Cazenovia, N.Y. / Cazenovia) registered six shots on goal and seven ground balls, while Audrey Yokopovich (Webster, N.Y. / Webster Thomas) had eight ground balls. In addition, Lauren Metz (Williamsville, N.Y. / Lancaster) had three ground balls, Jessica Tuttle (Webster, N.Y./ Webster Thomas) three ground balls and two caused turnovers, Polizzi two ground balls and two draw controls.
The game against Geneseo on Tuesday begins at 4 p.m.
