ALFRED, N.Y. — Abby Herbst recorded a hat trick as the Fredonia women's soccer team erased an early two-goal deficit to claim a 6-3 SUNYAC victory over Alfred State on Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Stadium.
Herbst's three goals were her first three of the season. Bronwyn Madden finished with a goal and an assist, while Gabby Irwin contributed two assists. Anna Ratchuk and Carissa Shanahan each added a goal, and Emma Stahl and Annie Gondek chipped in one assist apiece. Shanahan's tally, which served as the game-winner, was her first in four years as a Blue Devil while Stahl had her first college point.
Alfred State struck first with goals from Regan Curabba in the second and seventh minutes to take a 2-0 lead. Fredonia answered quickly when Madden scored in the ninth minute off an assist from Stahl. Just over four minutes later, Ratchuk found the back of the net off a feed from Madden to even the score at 2-2.
The Pioneers regained the lead in the 20th minute on a goal by Isabella Hoffmann, but the Blue Devils closed the first half with two key goals. Herbst tied the contest at 3-3 in the 40th minute on an assist from Irwin, and Shanahan scored less than five minutes later, again with Irwin providing the assist, sending Fredonia into halftime with a 4-3 advantage.
Fredonia State took control in the second half behind Herbst, who completed a hat trick with a pair of goals in a five-minute span. Her second goal came in the 74th minute off an assist from Gondek, and she capped the scoring in the 79th minute to give the Blue Devils a 6-3 cushion.
Alyssa Hatch earned the win in goal, making four saves.
