SEAN MCGRATH
Sports Editor
After making the playoffs at the #3 seed, the Fredonia women’s soccer season came to a close this past Saturday, when a 0-0 tie to Buffalo State Bengals forced a penalty kick shootout. Buffalo State then advanced on the shootout, 5-3.
After a 1-0 loss on Tuesday to RIT in a nonleague matchup, the sights were set on Buffalo State in official SUNYAC bracket play.
Junior goalkeeper Lindsey Forness made five stops for her clean sheet and Fredonia put the pressure on Bengal keeper Nicole Torres, who came out with 10 stops for hers.
Fredonia massively outshot the Bengals, 20-7, but still could not solve Torres, who remained equal to the task.
Leading the shot charge were sophomores Alexis Moreland and Kristie Kleine, with five shots apiece, with two on goal.
Fredonia created multiple chances but were ultimately held off the scoreboard.
Senior Maggie Horan rifled a hard shot toward the top of the net, but Torres managed to jump and deflect the shot up over the net.
Moreland and Katie Kleine connected on a give-and-go in the second half when Moreland just missed the top corner of the net.
As per SUNYAC rules, the teams must play through two overtime periods and if needed, a penalty kick shootout.
Fredonia looked to put itself on top late in the second overtime, when a free kick by Audrey Yokopovich and pass from Jenna Smolinski was converted on by Moreland, who was ruled offsides, and the goal voided.
After playing through overtime, Fredonia and Buffalo State took to the shootout. Katie Kleine, Ally Tatro and Yokopovich all converted on their chances, with Moreland missing on hers. Fredonia did not take its fifth chance, due to Buffalo converting on all five chances to decide the outcome.
Fredonia ended its season and headed into the offseason with an 8-9-1 overall record and 5-4-1 in SUNYAC. The team will graduate six seniors at the end of this year.