QUINTIN JAMES
Staff Writer
After going 2-0 in Buffalo, the Fredonia men’s soccer team came home to start their annual Blue Devil classic at University Stadium. Games against nonconference teams are always important, especially early in the season, and coach PJ Gondek stressed the importance of getting off to a good start.
“We’d like to get off to a fast start in both games with the first goal.”
With games against nonconference teams Alfred State and Houghton, Gondek also explained how these games would be important for the younger guys’ development and would give them a taste of how conference play will be. He wanted the team to keep its momentum from the previous two games.
“Just want to keep the momentum going. These games are just what the doctor ordered for our younger players.”
Coach was right as Fredonia started off the weekend playing against Alfred State, where they would roll to victory by a score of 5-0. Coach wanted to see his team get off to a hot start, and they repaid him with goals in minutes eight and 10 by senior Parker Healy and senior David Trabold. Both were assisted by fellow senior Ryan Ross.
For Trabold, that was his third consecutive game with a goal. Ross would score to make it 3-0 in minute 59. Ross would collect another assist, his third of the game, as he and Healy assisted on a Matt Belardi goal to make the game 4-0. Healy would add another goal in minute 71 to pile onto the score, as Fredonia outshot Alfred State 20-13 (9-5 shots on goal).
Sophomore goalie Ty Bentham had another great performance, this time earning his first shutout of the season. He made five saves in the effort.
They were back at it again the next day, as the final game of the Blue Devil classic for Fredonia was against Houghton college. Houghton scored early in the game in minute 12 as Fredonia was playing from behind for one of the few times this season.
Both teams were evenly matched until minute 68, where Fredonia would equalize. Freshman Pa Lu scored off an assist from a Matt Belardi ball through the box. Parker Healy headed the ball to Belardi to set up the goal.
After allowing an early goal, goalkeeper Ty Bentham had another good game with six saves and kept Fredonia in the game long enough for them to equalize.
The teams would play a full 90 minutes without a winner until overtime came. Fredonia wasted little time, as David Trabold scored 1:24 into the first overtime sent the crowd and the team home happy and with a 4-0 start.
While Fredonia outshout Houghton 14-10, the game was very close, and Fredonia passed its first big test of the season. Four players made the All-Tournament Team for the Blue Devils, led by MVP David Trabold who now has a goal in each of the team’s four games this year. Parker Healy, Ryan Ross and Pa Lu made the team as well. The 4-0 start to the season is an indication of their hard work and focus. Coach Gondek preaches this motto to his team and they have responding well so far this season. “I think the whole team agrees it is one game at a time. So far we have been able to find ways to win.”
Fredonia will have one more game at home before embarking on a five-game road trip, which will see the start of their conference games begin. This will be another test to see if this Blue Devils team can keep up the momentum and build on an already hot start.