MICHELLE HALE
Assistant Sports Editor
Fredonia’s women’s lacrosse team defeated two more SUNYAC teams to maintain its second place seed in the conference.
This week, the Blue Devils were ranked number two in the East Region, according to the NCAA DIII rankings. The Blue Devils are still ranked number 20 in the nation.
Last Tuesday, Fredonia faced the Geneseo Knights at home in a high-ranking battle. Geneseo is ranked number 18 in the country according to the last updated Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Association NCAA Division III poll. Fredonia was able to pull out a game-winning goal in overtime to defeat the Knights 9-8.
The Blue Devils held a 7-3 lead at halftime, but allowed the Knights to close the large goal deficit and send the two teams into overtime.
Regulation goals were scored by freshman midfielder Audrey Yokopovich with three, senior midfielder Katie Kleine and junior attack Katie Miller with two, senior midfielder Marissa Cussins had one, and the overtime goal was scored by sophomore attack Emily Polizzi.
Polizzi scored halfway through overtime to set the Blue Devils in the clear for the victory. Polizzi scored from a rebound by senior Katie Kleine’s shot that deflected off Geneseo’s goalkeeper and landed right in Polizzi’s stick.
“We were able to capitalize on our plays and get the ball back on defense,” said Yokopovich. “The hard work paid off, and we are very excited to advance with another win, especially against a nationally ranked team.”
On Saturday the Blue Devils took a five-hour bus ride out east to Oneonta. Although Fredonia pulled out a win, it was not an easy victory, as the final score narrowly leaned in Fredonia’s favor, 10-9.
Fredonia kept a steady pace by scoring five goals per half, but the final goal, scored by Cussins, was not scored until there were 22 seconds remaining in regulation.
The Blue Devils were up 6-3 early in the second half, but allowed the Red Dragons to score six goals to tie the game with under three minutes to go.
“In situations like that, it’s more about clock management and not giving them any more chances to score,” said head coach Amy Simon. “The biggest thing we talked about in time outs was just getting the draws and running out the clock on attack.”
Fredonia goals were scored by Cussins with three, Yokopovich with two, while Katie Kleine, Miller, sophomore midfielder Kristie Kleine, senior attack Katie Glagolev and sophomore attack Sam Owen each notched one goal. Freshman goalkeeper Nicole Burrows was credited with 13 saves.
The Blue Devils improved their overall record to 12-2, and 5-1 in the SUNYAC Conference.
“These games have been close, but they’ve showed us that we can pull out a win under pressure,” said Miller.
Fredonia continues SUNYAC play with its final conference home game against the Buffalo State Bengals at University Stadium Turf Field Tuesday at 4 p.m.