BOX SCORE

CORTLAND, N.Y. - Fredonia State junior Brandon Butts (Davenport) scored his first goal of the season in the 74th minute to lead the Blue Devils to a 1-0 win at Cortland Friday afternoon in windy conditions. 

Butts struck for the game winner after a free kick was delivered deep into Cortland's box. The ball bounded toward the left post where Ahern sent a cross back to the right post. Butts settled under the serve and headed in his first goal of the season. Cortland pressed in the closing minutes but could not create a good scoring chance.

The Blue Devils improved to 5-7 overall and 3-1 in the SUNYAC. The Red Dragons drop to 4-7-1 and 2-2. 

Junior goalie Bobby McGinnis (Elmira/Elmira Free Academy) made four saves to even his record at 5-5 on the season.

For Cortland, sophomore goalie Niko Martinez-Reyes earned the start in goal and did not make a save in 80:31 of action. Senior Mike Gimblette played the final 9:29 and did not stop a shot.

The teams could only generate one good chance in the opening half. In the 41st minute, Fredonia State senior Ryan O'Donnell (Orchard Park) struck a 10-yard open shot right in front over the crossbar after Martinez-Reyes knocked down a cross from the right side.

Each team created opportunities in the second half. Less than two minutes in, Cortland junior Lukas Wear sent a header off a serve by freshman Bryan DiBuono just wide left. In the 52nd minute, Blue Devil junior Luke Spencer (Rochester/West Irondequoit) struck a 19-yard free kick from the right side that snuck wide of the left post.

The Red Dragons had two more chances to get on the scoreboard, but Wear's shot right in front on a loose ball in the 60th minute sailed high and McGinnis denied senior Joe DiGirolomo's rebound header in the 69th minute.

Cortland held a 12-7 advantage in shots, and both teams had a pair of corner kicks. 

The Devils travel to Oswego tomorrow afternoon.