Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136

CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
Sports Information Director

DATE: Sat., Sept. 8, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Days Inn Soccer Classic

Devils lose game, win tourney title

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- It came down to a tiebreaker, and the Fredonia State Blue Devils came out on top.

After dropping a hotly contested 1-0 decision to Penn State Altoona, the Blue Devils (1-4-0) learned they were still winners of their own home tournament, the Blue Devil Days Inn Classic, based on goal differential.

All four teams in the Classic finished with 1-1 records over the two days. It was Fredonia State's 3-1 win Friday night over Penn State Behrend which broke the tie.

As a result, freshman midfielder Stephen Ahern (Nottingham, England) was named most valuable player of the Classic -- the honor being annually bestowed on the top player on the tournament champ. Ahern had two goals in the Blue Devils' win over Behrend, including the first by a Fredonia State student-athlete on the University Stadium pitch. The facility opened Friday before a capacity crowd of 1,250.

The crowd was smaller Saturday -- estimated at 250 -- and it saw the Blue Devils and its opponent, Penn State Altoona, mix it up for 90 minutes. The two teams combined for 37 fouls and five yellow cards. In comparison, they combined for 25 shots -- 13 for the Lions (3-1-0) and 12 for the Blue Devils.

The extra shot for the Lions made the difference as they tallied the game's only goal. After taking a short through pass, Bryan Pierzga (State College, Pa.) scored on a close-range shot in the 85th minute. Corey Suter (Mifflintown, Pa.) earned the assist while goalkeeper Brandon McQuillen (Clearfield, Pa.) was credited with a shutout and six saves.

Of the Blue Devils' 12 shots, four were taken by freshman Peter Dagel (Rochester/Gates Chili) while two shots on goal were recorded by senior Trevor Ianni (Rochester/Gates Chili). Senior goalkeeper Scott Bergen (Schenectady/Mohonasen) made four saves.

In Saturday's other men's game, Penn State Behrend captured second place by virtue of its 3-1 victory over Mount Union.

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All-tournament team:

Fredonia State -- Steve Ahern (MVP), Rob Esposito, Scott Chimileski, Pete Dagel.

Penn State Behrend -- Jerry Tortella, Shane Flowers, Adam Cline.

Penn State Altoona -- Dan Saxton, Brock Heller.

Mount Union -- Eric Gorman, Joel Jakubowski.

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