MORGAN MARSHALL
Staff Writer
Last Tuesday, the Blue Devils played against Buffalo State. The team trailed behind the Bengals 10-7 with only 13 minutes left in the game. The Blue Devils scored the final four goals to clinch the win.
Fredonia’s goals were scored by sophomore midfielder Audrey Yokopovich, who led the team with five. Junior attack Katie Miller followed with two, along with freshman midfielder Samantha Spiess and senior attack Juliana Kotas.
Yokopovich scored the game winning goal with only three minutes left in the game. Miller won the last draw control for the Blue Devils, causing them to keep possession over the Bengals until the finish.
The win over the Bengals put the Blue Devils at a 6-10 overall record and 2-5 in the conference.
They played their last game against Potsdam, a team that was tied with Fredonia, in the conference at sixth place. In order for the Blue Devils to get the last playoff spot in the SUNYAC Tournament, they would need to win against Potsdam with two or more goals.
Although the Blue Devils finished with a win over the Bears, it did not help them make their way into the SUNYAC tournament.
“I think we played really well this week and have come a long way with pulling out the wins that we needed, but unfortunately it just wasn’t enough,” said Yokopovich.
Fredonia had a heartbreaking ending to their season, as the Potsdam Bears scored their last goal with 27 seconds left in the game, leaving the Blue Devils trailing one goal behind at the finish.
“We played hard, but it wasn’t enough to get us where we needed to be,” said Miller. “It hurts that we didn’t make SUNYACs, but we know what we need to work on for next year. This year will not be a waste.”
Miller led Fredonia with five goals, Yokopovich with two, Kotas with one and freshman midfielder Monica Van Donsel with one.
The Blue Devils season came to an end with an overall record of 7-10.
The team will graduate their three seniors, Juliana Kotas, Jessica Tuttle and Lauren Metz.
“It was an interesting end to the season,” said Tuttle. “We worked hard to come out with the wins, and although it was exciting for us, we needed just one more goal to get into playoffs. This was a good learning experience and adjustment to the team, and now they know what to work on for their season next year.”
Fredonia’s women’s lacrosse season has ended for 2016, and the Blue Devils will not be entering the SUNYAC tournament this year.