Devils edge Oswego on late goal
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Men's soccer
FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Fredonia State broke into the SUNYAC victory column with a 2-1 home win Saturday over Oswego.
Peter Dagel (Rochester/Gates-Chili) scored his fifth goal of the season with 5:46 remaining to left the Blue Devils to 5-4-3 overall and 1-1-2 in the conference.
The loss dropped the Lakers to 4-7-0 overall and 3-2-0 in SUNYAC play.
Dagel, a junior forward, was on the receiving end of a sharp-angled cross by junior defender Eli Lubberts (Ontario/Wayne) from out of the right corner. Lubberts made the play with a long up the right side. His pass to the opposite post brought Oswego goalkeeper Matt Wopperer (Manlius/Fayetteville-Manlius) off his goal line. When Wopperer was unable to contain the ball, Dagel snuck into the opening and chipped the ball into the net.
Fredonia State took a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute on the first collegiate goal by freshman midfielder Ryan Smith (Fairport). Sophomore defender Luke Spencer (Rochester/West Irondeqouit) passed wide to junior forward John Grabowski (Middleport/Royalton-Hartland), who crossed the ball to Smith alone in the box.
The Lakers tied the game 1-1 in the 77th minute off a free kick. Fredonia State's Stephen Ahern (Nottingham, England/Billborough) received a yellow card for a hard tackle. Oswego's Bryan Pacchiana (Cortlandt Manor/Lakeland) lofted a free kick from the left wing and Greg Blette (Lakeview/Frontier) headed the ball over the reach of Blue Devil senior goalkeeper Thom Cavanaugh (Slingerlands/Voorheesville).
It was the only Cavanaugh allowed in 200 minutes of play this weekend. He posted his third shutout of the season Friday in the Blue Devils' 0-0 double-overtime tie with Cortland. The lone senior on the current Blue Devil roster, Cavanaugh was recognized during a pre-game ceremony for playing in his final regular-season home game. He finished the afternoon with three saves. Oswego's Wopperer also made three saves.
The Blue Devils had a 13-8 advantage in shots.
Starting next Friday, Fredonia State plays its first of five straight games away from University Stadium with a trip to Potsdam.