Devils ousted in PK round of semifinal
Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136
CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
Sports Information Director
DATE: Fri., Nov. 6, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Women's soccer
CORTLAND 1, FREDONIA STATE 1 -- 2 OT
ONEONTA, N.Y. -- Fredonia State’s season ended following a shootout loss to Cortland in a SUNYAC semifinal at SUNY Oneonta. The teams tied 1-1 after two overtimes.
The Blue Devils (11-5-3) came within three minutes of gaining a spot in their first SUNYAC title game, only to have the Red Dragons score a tying goal on a free kick.
The Red Dragons won the penalty-kick round, 3-0, and Saturday will meet Geneseo, a semifinal winner early Friday over Brockport, for the SUNYAC title and the automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
Fredonia State was trying to advance to its first-ever SUNYAC women’s soccer championship game. The Blue Devils made the semifinal round in 2005, their previous best SUNYAC showing before this season.
Moments after taking a free kick, followed by a non-call for an apparent foul in the box, the Blue Devils scored the first goal of the game in the 67th minute. Sophomore forward Melissa Cummiskey (Clarence) played a ball from the left wing into the box, where sophomore defender Emily Beh (Penfield) got the last touch before the ball rolled behind the Cortland goalkeeper.
The lead stood until 2:54 remained. After the Blue Devils were called for a foul just outside the 18-yard box, Cortland’s Maura Martin (Chili/Gates-Chili) scored on a free kick. She drilled the ball over a wall of Blue Devils and just over the reach of goalkeeper Meghan Meszaros (Selden/Newfield).
Cortland had the advantage in the first overtime. Meszaros made a leaping save and knocked the ball over the bar on a shot by Jackie De Luise (Guilderland) early in the first overtime. Moments later, Bridgette DeSantis (Schnectady/Mohonasen) struck a ball off the crossbar and the rebound went to a teammate, who drilled another shot over the top of the net.
Fredonia State’s best chance during extra time was a shot across the box in the first overtime by sophomore forward Reilly Condidorio (LeRoy).
Meszaros was tested again midway through the second overtime. Her jumping save of a mid-range shot was one of her 11 saves. Cortland outshot the Blue Devils, 23-5.
The Blue Devils played minus senior forward and all-time leading scorer Lauren Heilweil (Binghamton/Chenango Forks). In addition, twin sisters and co-captains Lisa and Gwen Curtis (Rochester/Greece Arcadia) appeared in their final collegiate games.