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

CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
Sports Information Director

DATE: Mon., Oct. 31, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women's Soccer

Devils advance on Weiser's OT goal

FREDONIA , N.Y. -- Senior forward Jessica Weiser (Rochester/Greece Athena) scored 3:14 into overtime and sent Fredonia State past the Plattsburgh Cardinals, 2-1, and into the SUNYAC semifinals for the first time ever.

Sophomore defender Linsay Kulas (Rochester/Aquinas) scored in a regulation-time goal and freshman goalkeeper Becky Scroger (Spencerport/Spencerport) made three saves for the Blue Devils (10-5-4), who'll meet No. 1 seed and tournament host Oneonta 11 a.m. Friday at Hall of Fame Fields.

The other semifinal Friday will pit No. 2 seed Geneseo vs. the winner of the Oswego at Cortland quarterfinal scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday. The SUNYAC championship game is 11 a.m. Saturday.

Weiser's goal, her seventh of the season, touched off a wild celebration by the Blue Devils, who had never won a SUNYAC Tournament game before Monday. In addition, they entered the game trailing their all-time series vs. Plattsburgh, 10-1-0, with the only win coming Oct. 7 at Fredonia, 1-0, also in overtime.

The Cardinals (12-6-1), the No. 5 seed to Fredonia State's No. 4, took a 1-0 lead at 23:48 on a goal by freshman midfielder Kyra Crosby (Salem, N.H.), assisted by senior forward Gena Rosenbaum (Morrisville). Crosby's short shot during a Plattsburgh run appeared to deflect off a Fredonia State player charging hard at the goal in an hurried attempt to get back on defense.

Fredonia State countered less than 10 minutes later, at 34:08, on a penalty kick by Kulas. With the foul occuring just outside the goal box, Kulas drilled a hard ball over a wall of Plattsburgh players and into the upper corner of the net just inside the right goal post to forge a 1-1 tie.

Momentum seemed to continue to turn Fredonia State's way when, at 42-12, a Plattsburgh player was given a red card for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Cardinals played the remaining time one player short, yet they still managed several runs and controlled the ball for a good portion of the second half -- only to have the Fredonia State defense stiffen in the attack zone.

The game ended when Weiser, stationed about 25 yards out, lofted a shot over Plattsburgh freshman goalkeeper Kathryn Lind (Garden City), who had ventured out past the goal line. The ball eluded Lind's jumping attempt at a save. It was Weiser's team-leading 20th point of the season and extended her school-record leading totals in goals (30) and points (74).

The Blue Devils attempted 17 shots, six of which Lind stopped. The Cardinals attempted 13 shots. The teams took five corner kicks each.

The Fredonia State men will attempt to punch their ticket to Oneonta when they play host to Oswego at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

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