Keller connection decides see-saw affair
A one-timer by Ryan Keller (East Aurora/East Aurora) in the 86th minute lifted Fredonia past Buffalo State, 3-2, in a hard-fought SUNYAC men's soccer game at University Stadium.
Bryan Sibble (Liverpool/Cicero-North Syracuse) intercepted a throw-in by Buffalo State goalkeeper William Banahene, then dribbled up the left side before putting a high cross into the box. Keller's header was his fifth goal of the season and proved the difference in the see-saw affair. The teams traded goals throughout and combined for nine yellow cards.
David Trabold (Fairport/Fairport) and Parker Healy (East Aurora/East Aurora) had Fredonia's other goals while Bass Sarr and August Finn scored for Buffalo State. Fredonia's Ty Bentham (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North) made four saves -- all in the first half -- to improve to 7-1-0. Banahene was credited with seven stops.
Trabold opened the scoring with his third goal of the season following a corner kick and goal-mouth scramble in the 21st minute. Healy was credited with an assist for his kick into defenders which then rebounded to Trabold.
Sarr put the Bengals on the board in the 54th minute. He collided with Bentham, who was holding the ball overhead, then dropped it. Sarr booted in the loose ball for his ninth goal of the season and a 1-1 tie.
Healy put Fredonia back on top in the 60th minute, 2-1, with a header off a throw-in by Brandon Butts (Schenevus/Charlotte Valley). The play was set up in the defensive end. Keller tackled a Bengal from behind and a Fredonia defender launched a high ball upfield that went out-of-bounds off Banahene.
Buffalo State went back on the offensive as Finn scored the equalizer, 2-2, in the 75th minute with a short shot in front after a shot by Sarr clanged off the cross bar. It was Finn's fifth goal of the season.
Fredonia improved to 8-2-1 and 2-1-0 in the SUNYAC while Buffalo State fell to 7-3-1 and 2-1-0.
The Blue Devils also earned two points in the Battle by The Lake series with the Bengals to even the score at 2-2. The Buffalo State women's soccer team earned the first two points in the series earlier in the afternoon.
The game drew the largest crowd of the fall, estimated at nearly 300, including many members of other Blue Devil teams as part of Athletes Supporting Athletes.
