Devils battle through Senior Day
Celebrating Senior Day were players and their families.
After the Fredonia State men's soccer team battled back and tied the game, Oneonta scored the game-winning goal in the 74th minute.
After controlling action much of the early going, Oneonta took the lead in the first half on a goal by Luigi Prosperi in the 25th minute. He was assisted by Milton Mancias. The game remained 1-0 at the half.
Fredonia State controlled the action during the early part of the second half. Freddy Butker broke away from the pack and scored a break away goal in the 50th minute. The tie would stand until Prosperi and Mancias would team up again to combine for the game-winning score.
"We played one of our best games of the year against a Nationally-ranked opponent today and gave them everything we had and more," said Head Coach P.J. Gondek. "Unfortunately, the result was the same as it's been in SUNYAC this season for the most part. We came up just short."
Oneonta outshot the Devils 23-8 and had a 10-6 edge in corner kicks. Tanner Stutzman made nine saves in goal.
The Devils fall to 5-6-4 overall and 1-6-1 in the SUNYAC. Oneonta moves to 12-2 and 5-2 in conference play.
It was the final home game for a number of seniors. Jacob Vallas, Nick Aufiero, Kaleb Steward, Milkias Aregawi, and brothers Liam and Camron Walsh were honored with pre-game Senior Day ceremonies. Three other seniors -- who all received recognition last year but came back due to an extra year of eligibility due to COVID -- Tanner Stutzman, Markus Johansson, and Kyle Pezzulo were also recognized.
"The guys and the seniors especially played their hearts out and left it all in the field," said Gondek. "Two more games to try to claim victory."
