QUINTIN JAMES
Staff Writer
The men’s soccer team went to Buffalo State needing a win to help its playoff chances heading into a key home stand in conference play. Coming off a scoreless tie in its last game against Brockport, the team looked to steal a game in Buffalo against a good Bengal team before returning home.
Fredonia came out strong and looked to continue the momentum gathered in previous games. Buffalo State, however, came out and scored early. In the 14th minute, the Bengals scored on a header off a free kick. The Blue Devils’ defense in the penalty area has been lackluster at best, and this was another example of a bad breakdown that led to them being down early on the road against a fearsome opponent.
Other than that, the team played a good half of soccer considering they were down early.
The game wasn’t the cleanest of games played by the Blue Devils. Four yellow cards and a red card given to sophomore Hunter Critchlow stopped any momentum and confidence the Blue Devils had.
In the second half the Blue Devils tried to push the pace and get an equalizer to get back into the game. A goal in the 54th minute by Buffalo State took the air out of the Blue Devil sails. A free kick from 20 yards out hit the back of the net and the Blue Devils found themselves down two goals early in the second half.
The Blue Devils outshot the Bengals in the second half 10-7, but couldn’t find a way to find the ball in the net; that proved to be the deciding factor as they fell 2-0 in a tough game to lose.
The Blue Devils are now 1-7-2 overall, and 0-2-1 in the SUNYAC Conference.
Their playoff chances are now very slim — every game is a virtual must-win from here on out. They start a three-game home stand Tuesday against Alfred State. Five of their last eight games are at home, so they are looking for some magic back at Fredonia.
If the men’s soccer team wants any part of clinching a seed in playoffs, it needs to start winning and taking advantage of opportunities when they come.