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SUNYAC CHAMPIONSHIP FIRST ROUND – #5 BUFFALO STATE BENGALS AT #4 FREDONIA STATE BLUE DEVILS
Saturday, November 2, 2024 – 12:00 PM
University Stadium – Fredonia, NY
FOLLOW ALONG…
TICKET INFORMATION
LIVE STATS
VIDEO (OFFICIAL SUNYAC BROADCAST)
LAST TIME OUT… In their last game of the 2024 season, the Bengals were defeated by the Cortland Red Dragons 7-0.Eve DiCarlo (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island) led the Bengals with three shots, with two shots on goal. Addy Williams (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine) made a career best, 13 saves in net, in 72 minutes of play. Sam Kaufman (Cheektowaga, NY/West Seneca East) was credited with two saves in net, in 17 minutes of play.
THE MATCHUP… The number four seeded Fredonia State Blue Devils will host the Bengals for the first time this season. As the number four seed in the SUNYAC tournament, the Blue Devils earned a home first round playoff game.
Saturday’s matchup will be the 36th matchup between these two opponents. The Blue Devils lead the series 21-12-3, with a 13-5-2 home record against the Bengals. The Blue Devils are currently on a two-game winning streak against the Bengals, scoring eight total goals combined in those last two games.
Buffalo State will be competing in the SUNYAC Tournament for the first time since 2016, when they were the top seed and won the SUNYAC tournament. For head coach, Greg Margolis and his staff, this will be their first appearance in the SUNYAC tournament under his regime in 2021.
Fredonia State will be competing in the second SUNYAC tournament in the last three seasons, with their last appearance coming in 2021.
The winner of this first round matchup will hit the road and battle the top seeded New Paltz Hawks on November 6th at 1:00 P.M.
LAST TIME WE MET… In their last matchup of the 2024 season, the Bengals narrowly lost a tight matchup with the Blue Devils. Olivia Kilmer (Hammondsport, NY/Avoca) led the Bengals in shots with seven on the night.
Addy Williams (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine) starred between the pipes, keeping the Bengals in the game with six saves in 90 minutes of play.
The Bengals were outshot by the Blue Devils 15 to 14, with seven shots on goal for the Blue Devils and five for the Bengals.
THE BENGAL BREAKDOWN… At 8-9-0 (5-4-0 SUNYAC), Buffalo State enters the tournament with a chip on their shoulder, dropping their last three games. The Bengals will be looking to gain a wave of momentum in the SUNYAC tournament, especially against a familiar opponent in the Blue Devils.
FRESHMAN SENSATION… Olivia Kilmer (Hammondsport, NY/Avoca) led the Bengals with 23 total points, tallying 11 goals and an assist in her first season as a Bengal. Now making her first SUNYAC playoff appearance, Kilmer will be looking to set a good first impression on Bengals Country and her SUNYAC foes.
ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS… Kaylee Valentic (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) and her 53 career points is now tied for 8th in Bengals total career points for the women’s soccer program. In 17 games this season, Valentic tallied seven goals, 3 assists for a total of 17 points in the 2024 campaign.
BETWEEN THE PIPES… Addy Williams (Grapevine, TX/Grapevine) completed her second season in a Bengal uniform and excelled in net. For the season, Williams carried a 2.39 GA/AVG, with 71 saves and two shutouts.
REVENGE TOUR SZN… The Bengals will look to respond from their 1-0 loss at the hands of the Blue Devils from earlier this season. The Blue Devils were one of three teams to shut out the Bengals since the month of October, and with a victory, the Bengals will be looking to avenge a 3-1 loss at the hands of the Oswego State Lakers.
RESEARCHING THE BLUE DEVILS… Fredonia is set to host the Bengals with a record of 11-7-0 (5-4-0 SUNYAC) on the year. Because of a head-to-head tie breaker, the Blue Devils will host the Bengals instead of another showdown at Coyer Field.
The Blue Devils are tied with the Bengals in goals for in SUNYAC games at 18, with the Blue Devils giving up six goals to the Bengals 14. Katie Sellers leads the Blue Devils in total points with 12 goals and two assists, with Gabby Irwin right behind her with 24 points from eight goals and eight assists.
In goal for the Blue Devils, sophomore Abby Szymkowiak started all 18 games this 2024 season. Szymkowiak has registered 100 saves while posting seven shutouts and a goals against average of 1.11. Szymkowiak is third in the SUNYAC in total shutouts and goals against average.
The Blue Devils will be looking for their first SUNYAC championship in program’s history.
Coaches Corner… Head coach Greg Margolis, who was asked about his insights on this matchup, said “We’re excited to compete in a playoff match against a quality opponent. Great matchup to highlight the quality in western NY and our players are ready to start this run deep into playoffs!”
SCHEDULES/RESULTS…
BUFFALO STATE BENGALS: 8-9-0 (5-4-0 SUNYAC)
FREDONIA STATE BLUE DEVILS: 11-7-0 (5-4-0 SUNYAC)
