FREDONIA, NY—Sixth-seeded Buffalo State (7-7-5) will make its third trip to the SUNYAC Semifinals in five years, slipping past host and No. 3-seeded Fredonia (8-8-2) on penalty kicks, following a 0-0 draw at the conclusion of 110 minutes of play in today's quarterfinal match.
The game is officially recorded as a tie, but the Bengals prevailed 5-3 in penalty kicks to survive and advance. Buffalo State went first in the five-round penalty kick shootout, and built of 2-1 lead when
Breanna Knight (Valley Stream/Valley Stream South) and
Meghan Allen (Big Flats/Corning East) each converted. Fredonia opened the door when its second shooter missed wide of the left post. After successful attempts by
Megan Chapple (Utica/Whitesboro) and
Kristin Seiferth (Brightwaters/Bay Shore), senior captain
Liz Malinowski (Wiliamsville/Williamsville South) sealed it for the Bengals, calmly drilling home to clinching attempt.
Fredonia appeared to win the game during the second overtime when Alexis Moreland converted a set piece following a free kick by Audrey Yokopovich and a pass from Jenna Smolinski, but Moreland was whistled offside.
Fredonia finished with a 20-7 edge in shots, including a 12-1 advantage in the second half, but could not break through. Buffalo State freshman goalkeeper
Nicole Torres (Wantagh/MacArthur) finished with a career-best 10 saves for her second career shutout.
Buffalo State will travel to No. 2 Cortland for the semifinals on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. The Bengals dropped a 1-0 decision to the Red Dragons on Oct. 10 during the regular season. Buffalo State is looking to make its second-ever trip to the SUNYAC Championship match, and first since 1984.
