The Fredonia State women's soccer team faces a quality opponent as it opens its 2024 season this weekend at Penn State Behrend.
The Blue Devils will square off against John Carroll, ranked No. 8 in pre-season polls after advancing to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals in 2023.
The opening game, scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, is part of Behrend's Herb Lauffer Memorial Tournament. Fredonia State will also meet Franciscan University at 5 p.m. Sunday.
"It's the first big test," Head Coach Chris Case said of the season-opener. "The team has been working hard through pre-season and we are excited to get our games underway."
With 24 players on the roster, maintaining fitness and avoiding injuries are keys to a successful season.
Top returnees include senior forward Katie Sellers, sophomore midfielder Gabby Irwin, senior defender Grace Auer, and senior midfielder Maddie Payne. Sellers was First Team All SUNYAC and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All Region in 2023. Irwin was also All SUNYAC – she made the Second Team – and was 2023 SUNYAC Rookie of the Year. In addition, Auer and Payne have been chosen as this year's co-captains.
"A majority of our team," Case said, "are returners from last year. It has allowed our group to have good chemistry from the beginning and has allowed us to jump in and increase our level quicker than in previous years."
After this weekend, the Blue Devils are off until next Friday, Sept. 6, when they open the home portion of their season vs. Utica College as part of the two-day Blue Devil Classic. Fredonia State will also host Houghton on Sept. 7.
Other key home dates include:
- Sat., Sept 14 vs. Allegheny. In association with the Morgan's Message foundation, the Blue Devils and Gators will be looking to raise awareness about the stigma of mental health among student-athletes. (For more on Morgan's Message, click HERE)
- Sat., Sept. 21 vs. Plattsburgh. Its the first of nine SUNYAC games. The Blue Devils will look to avenge a 1-0 loss at Plattsburgh last season.
- Wed., Oct. 16 vs. Cortland. The Red Dragons are the defending SUNYAC champs.
- Sat., Oct. 26 vs. Oneonta. The final home game of the regular season will include the annual Senior Day celebration.
In addition, the women's and men's soccer teams will sponsor a Chiavetta's chicken barbecue during the Blue Devil Classic. Dinners will be served at University Stadium on Sept. 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are available from players on both teams or by emailing either Coach Case (case@fredonia.edu) or Men's Head Coach P.J. Gondek (gondek@fredonia.edu). Tickets will also be sold the day of the event at the University Stadium ticket booth. The cost of each dinner is $15.
