FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Fredonia State put up a solid effort but had nothing to show for it Saturday on the second day of the Clarion Hotel Classic at University Stadium.
The Blue Devils fell to 0-5 with a 3-1 loss to tournament runner-up John Carroll despite advantages in shots (21-12) and corner kicks (11-2). A goal by John Grabowski (Middleport/Roy-Hart) at 55:05 was all the scoring the Blue Devils could muster.
The Blue Streaks (4-1) wasted no time gaining the upper hand. Wycliffe Odhaimbo (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) scored at 4:46 when he converted a rebound following a save by Fredonia State goalkeeper Bobby McGinnis (Elmira/Elmira Free). With the Blue Devils pressuring for a tying goal, John Carroll countered just before halftime and took a 2-0 lead on a goal by Corey Rider (Vermillion, Ohio) at 42:54.
Grabowski's goal cut JCU's lead in half, 2-1, and was made possible following two quick passes by Ryan Smith (Fairport) and Eli Lubberts (Ontario/Wayne), each of whom earned assists. The Blue Streaks re-established their two-goal lead, 3-1, when Jeff Kosek (Brecksville, Ohio) delivered from the top of the box at 65:33.
McGinnis had two saves in the Blue Devil net while John Carroll's Matt DeMarchi (Hudson, Ohio) was credited with three saves. Odhaimbo, Kosek, and Joe Ciacchi (North Royalton, Ohio) from John Carroll, and Grabowski and David Thoin (Buffalo/St. Joe's Collegiate) of the Blue Devils were named to the all-tournament team.
Baldwin-Wallace earned the Classic title with a 5-1 victory over Buffalo State earlier Saturday. The Yellowjackets had a goal differential of plus-5 to John Carroll's plus-4. The Ohio Athletic Conference rivals were both 2-0 over the two days of Clarion Classic play.
B-W's Jeff Grater (Stow, Ohio) was named tournament most valuable player, while teammates Justin Peterson (Rochester Hills, Mich.), Thomas Kramer (Columbus, Ohio), and Tyler Leister (Stow, Ohio) were named to the all-tournament team. Buffalo State's all-tourney picks were Jon Commisso (Port Washington) and Paul LaMancusa (Kenmore).
