Devils crowned soccer champs
Bethany College scored just over a minute into the game, but the Fredonia men's soccer team roared back with four unanswered goals and claimed the Johns Hopkins Tournament title on Sunday.
Bethany's Jose Arzate score an unassisted goal just 1:03 into the game.
Fredonia answered with goals by Jimmy Ritchie (East Aurora, N.Y. / East Aurora), David Trabold (Fairport, N.Y. / Fairport), Parker Healy (East Aurora, N.Y. / East Aurora) and Brian Theuerkauf (Lancaster, N.Y. / Lancaster) to provide the margin of victory. "We were relentless in attacking and it showed with so many different players in the scoring column," said head coach P.J. Gondek.
Fredonia's first score came in the 25th minute. Theuerkauf's shot was saved by the keeper, but Ritchie was able to drive home the rebound.
Just before the half, Trabold took a low cross from Bryan Sibble (Liverpool, N.Y. / Cicero-North Syracuse) on a free kick and put it in the bottom left corner to give Fredonia a 2-1 lead. "We responded very well after giving up an early goal with two goals to close out the half," Gondek added.
Midway through the second half, Healy put a ball in the top right corner of the net to give the Devils some breathing room. Ritchie had the assist.
The scoring was capped with just over five minutes left in the match when Theuerkauf dribbled to the left side of the box and put the final goal in the lower left corner.
Jeremy Bari (Niagara Falls, N.Y. / Niagara Wheatfield) was credited with the win in goal, making three saves. Callum Appleby surrendered all four goals while making six saves for Bethany.
Fredonia owned a 21-11 advantage on shots, and a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.
Fredonia finished 1-0-1 in the tournament. Bethany and host Johns Hopkins played to a 1-1 draw the day before, while the Devils and USMMA played to a 2-2 draw on Saturday. Hopkins defeated USMMA, 1-0, on Sunday, therefore the Devils were awarded the title based on goal differential.
The Devils' home opener is this weekend when both the women's and men's team play host to the annual Clarion Classic.
"We still need to shore up a few parts of the field heading into the Clarion Classic against a really good Houghton team this Friday," said Gondek. Baldwin Wallace and Buffalo State also come to town. Action takes place Friday and Saturday at University Stadium.
