game against Plattsburgh State.
(Angelina Dohre/Photo Editor)
AIDAN POLLARD
Special to the Leader
On Oct. 13, the Fredonia women’s soccer team competed against SUNY Potsdam in a match that Potsdam won 3-2.
Fredonia was outshot 29 to 18, with 11 shots on goal for Potsdam and seven for Fredonia. Fredonia had four corner kicks as opposed to Potsdam’s 10, nine of which were during the first half. Fredonia had eight saves throughout the game, and Potsdam had five. Both teams were called for one offsides play.
For most of the first half, both teams were playing a fast and hard defensive game where it was clear that both teams were incredibly eager to break the silence. Every time it seemed like there was a scoring opportunity, the opposing defense was right on top of the play. After a long drought, it was clear that both teams were ready to get the game going.
The first goal was scored by Potsdam 35 minutes into the first half. The goal was scored after strong defensive plays by both teams, but after the first goal the game heated up quickly.
Less than one minute after Potsdam’s goal, Fredonia junior Abby Price scored on a one-time shot assisted by junior Aleeya Clemons that went straight to the upper right corner. “We really needed a goal before half time. We really needed to get back,” said Price. “We needed to bring it before the end. We needed to bring it into the next half, so I feel like the goal was really really important to create that momentum into the next half.”
Potsdam struck back with five minutes to go in the first half, with a goal that pushed the momentum into the second half. For the first 15 minutes of the second half, the game was similar to most of the first half with a great deal of strong defensive play until Potsdam scored their second goal in a row, putting Fredonia two behind.
Ten minutes later, Fredonia responded with a goal scored by freshman Danielle Spring and assisted by freshman Jessica Slack. “I was happy and I thought it would get us going,” said Spring. “I passed it to Lauren and then Lauren deflected it off of the [Potsdam] player.”
Fredonia was not able to make a third goal to tie the game before time ran out, but the team played a strong game throughout. “We really need to work on communication and shoot more,” said Price. “We need to pressure the ball faster, and just play quicker too.”
Fredonia also competed against Plattsburgh this past weekend in a game that ended in a no-score tie after two overtimes. Plattsburgh had 14 shots on goal and Fredonia had three, with every shot being saved by both teams. Plattsburgh had 11 corner kicks throughout the long game, and Fredonia had three. Plattsburgh was called for two offsides plays during the game.
Fredonia’s next game will be away against New Paltz on Oct. 20, and they will also play Oneonta in another away game on Oct. 21 — the last two games before the SUNYAC tournament.