FREDONIA, N.Y. -- In a game that could potentially clinch a long-awaited playoff berth for the Fredonia State men's soccer team, Chance LaCroix and Freddie Butler stepped up and led the team to a 5-2 win over Morrisville. LaCroix had a goal and two assists, while Butler had a goal and an assist.

The duo now lead the Devils with five goals apiece, while LaCroix tops the team with five assists. The Devils up their record to 4-4 in the SUNYAC and 7-6-3 overall. Morrisville now stands at 2-4-2 in the conference and 5-7-3 overall.

LaCroix assisted on the first goal. On a free kick from the left side, LaCroix placed a perfect ball to Butler who headed it in for a 1-0 Blue Devil lead at the 8:43 mark.

Just 17 seconds later, the duo again teamed up, this time with LaCroix scoring and Butler assisting. The ball was played in a crowd in front of the net, and Butler eventually came away with the close-range shot.

The Devils kept up the momentum, when Brendan Adams scored from close range on an assist from Sam Evans in the 14th minute.

Morrisville got on the scoreboard with just over 11 minutes left in the first half. Aaron Chapman ripped a ball from just outside the goalie box and whistled it past a diving Thomas McDonald. Eamon Griffin assisted. 

For Fredonia State, Evans would add to his stat line with a goal of his own in the 44th minute. He was assisted by Oliver Spinola. The Devils took a 4-1 lead into the locker room.

The Mustangs would make it interesting, cutting the lead to 4-2 with a goal by Griffin in the 71st minute. Pedro Oliveira assisted.
 

However, LaCroix would strike again to put the game away. With the ball on the lower right side of the goal post, he made a perfect crossing pass to Kye Castelluccio who pounded it in from short range and a 5-2 lead.

McDonald made five saves and gave up a pair of scores. For Morrisville, Ronaldo Fatolou surrendered five goals with two saves.

After the game, head coach P.J. Gondek was looking forward to this weekend's home finale and moving on to the playoffs. "In securing our playoff seeding today, our seniors were finally able to celebrate after three years of close calls and near misses. Now our team will be able to relax and prepare for Senior Day this Saturday against Oswego knowing we will competing in the coveted SUNYAC tournament."

The Devils wrap up the regular season with a home match at 1:00 on Saturday vs. Oswego.