Suriani shines, seniors honored in final regular season game
Senior soccer players and their families.
On Saturday afternoon, the Fredonia State Women's Soccer Team (10-6-2, 5-3-1 SUNYAC) battled until the final minute against Geneseo (13-2-1, 8-0-1 SUNYAC).
Sabrina Suriani (Manlius) was the star for the Blue Devils, recording a season-high 12 saves over 90 minutes. The junior made several key saves to keep Fredonia State in the game.
Geneseo's goal came in the 22nd minute. Hannah Sullivan was on the receiving end of a cross from teammate Lindsay Wright, and placed a perfectly timed header past an outstretched Suriani.
The Blue Devils had an opportunity in the 18-yard box in the 29th minute. The Geneseo goalkeeper fumbled the ball to a waiting Fredonia State player.
Gabby Alston (Niskayuna) finally got ahold of the ball, but sent her shot wide right of net.
Minutes later, Suriani had a diving save on a Geneseo breakaway to contribute to her tally.
Despite play being back-and-forth, the first half concluded without a shot on goal or corner kick for the home team.
The second half proved to be Suriani's show.
The keeper recorded point-blank saves in the 55th and 60th minutes. In the 75th minute, Suriani had back-to-back saves.
Fredonia State had two key opportunities in the second stanza. The first came two minutes in when Sophie Richiusa (Penfield) sent a header just left of the net.
The second came in the closing minutes on a hustle play from Alston. Geneseo had played the ball back to its keeper and Alston chased it down.
Just as the Geneseo keeper went to clear the ball out, Alston also made contact with the ball. The forward's rebound trickled just left of the net.
Fredonia State honored its five seniors prior to the game; Jessica Caracciola (Locust Valley), Kayleigh Daniels (North Tonawanda), Emily Kwiatkowski (Lake View), Ashley Melino (Livonia), and Richiusa.
Women's Soccer has secured the fifth seed for playoffs and will travel to fourth-seeded New Paltz on Saturday, Oct. 30. Details of that game will be released when available.
In regards to earning a spot in the playoffs, Coach Case stated, "We are excited for a spot in the top six. We will have a tough match against a well-coached and talented New Paltz team. We recently had a really good battle with them and I'm expecting it to be another good battle next Saturday."
