By: Ricky Webster
FREDONIA, N.Y.— An early lead helped Fredonia State take care of Potsdam on Saturday, as the Blue Devils took down the Bears 11-8 at University Stadium.
The Blue Devils jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first half before allowing their first goal. The Bears battled back in the second half, bringing the score to as close as two, but Fredonia State prevailed.
Marissa Cussins, Rachael Reinis, and Amy Simon each scored two goals to lead the way for the Blue Devils.
Carly Richards and Maribeth Simmons each scored two goals to lead the way for the Bears.
Cussins started the scoring in the first half for the Blue Devils. Karli Brinthaupt and Cussins traded goals to put the score at 3-0. Morgan McNamara then received a pass from Cussins and connected on her 21st goal of the season. Reinis scored the final two goals of the first half for the Blue Devils.
The Blue Devils and Bears traded goals entering the second half. Simon scored her first goal of the game just over five minutes into the half. A goal by Cussins brought the score to 8-4 in favor of the Blue Devils.
Samantha Brown and Maribeth Simmons scored goals just nine seconds apart two put the Bears down just two. Cortney Ciaschi and Simon each put away a goal to put the game at a score of 10-6.
Laura Culhane coincidentally enough scored the final goal of the game for the Blue Devils. It was the final home game in the successful career of Culhane. She finished the game with one goal and two assists. Culhane holds the career record for most assists by a Blue Devil with 85. With four regular season games remaining, Culhane needs just five assists to break her own school record of 25 assists in a single season.
Casey Chiesa made several point blank saves on free position shots for the Blue Devils. Chiesa finished the game with 12 saves.
Cussins two goals now puts her in sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals by a freshman list with 32 goals, breaking a tie with Lisa Wirth ('96). Simon sits in second place on the list with 55 goals as a freshman in 2009, and Robyn Domm ('99) tops the list with 57.
Fredonia State continues SUNYAC play next week as they fight for playoff contention. The Blue Devils travel to Brockport on April 19 at 4 p.m. Brockport is in second place in the conference with a 4-1 record.
