Devils cash in on Yoko-to-Clemons combo
Fredonia junior forward Aleeya Clemons (Olean) scored three goals, each on passes from senior midfielder Audrey Yokopovich (Webster), to lead the Blue Devils to a 3-1 SUNYAC women's soccer win over SUNY Buffalo State.
Clemons netted the goals in the 15th, 38th, and 60th minutes on similar-looking plays -- long runs after through balls into open space. Fredonia freshman goalkeeper Marissa Quimby (Ballston Lake) made three saves as the Blue Devils improved to 5-6-0 overall and 2-1-0 in the SUNYAC. Buffalo State fell to 2-7-1 and 0-3-0.
The first goal began with a high clearing kick by a Buffalo State player. Yokopovich headed the ball in the midfield to Clemons, who scored from a wide angle after splitting two defenders and sidestepping Buffalo State goalkeeper Nicole Torres, who had come far off her line to challenge.
The second and third goals were almost identical. Each was put into motion on through balls from Yokopovich. Both times, Clemons sprinted past defenders and beat Torres and, later, substitute goalkeeper Taylor Carillo. The three goals give Clemons seven this season, one more than the combined total of last season's top three Blue Devils.
SUNY Buffalo State's Lindsay Mahoney broke Quimby's shutout bid in the 86th minute off a scrum for a loose ball bounced around in the box.
Fredonia is back in action at 5 p.m. Tuesday vs. Elmira at University Stadium.
Notes: The Blue Devils earned two points in the season-long Battle By The Lake series vs. Buffalo State ... The last time a Blue Devil had three goals in a game was Kristie Kleine in a 3-2 victory over Potsdam on Oct. 17, 2015.
