The Fredonia State women’s soccer team will host its first playoff game in 10 years at noon Saturday against Buffalo State. The Blue Devils clinched their playoff spot in a 2-0 victory last weekend in which Fredonia native Annie Gondek scored the game-winning goal.
Photo courtesy of Fredonia State Athletics
It was not uncommon to hear the name Annie Gondek and “big goal” appear in the same sentence during her Fredonia High School soccer career that included two straight Section VI championships.
Two years later, Gondek recently had her name on the scoresheet for Fredonia State, tallying a decisive goal that clinched the Blue Devils’ first home playoff game in a decade.
Fredonia State’s victory came last Saturday when it defeated SUNY Oneonta 2-0 and Gondek’s goal came in the 27th minute. The Blue Devils shut down the Red Dragons, needing just three saves from sophomore Abby Szymkowiak to secure the clean sheet. Senior Katie Sellers added an insurance goal in the win.
While the attack focused around Gondek in high school, the Fredonia State sophomore has shown her versatility as a defender in college. Gondek’s tally was her second of the season, the first coming in a 5-3 loss to Allegheny College.
Fredonia State followed up Saturday’s victory with its fourth straight win on Tuesday when it got past Chatham University 2-1. The Blue Devils received second-half goals from Gabby Irwin and Jordan Niccola, while Szymkowiak made seven saves.
Fredonia State matches its longest win streak of the season at four games and will entertain Buffalo State at noon Saturday for its first home playoff game in 10 years. The winner of Saturday’s game will advance to the semifinals Wednesday against New Paltz. The championship is Nov. 9.
Earlier this season, Fredonia State defeated Buffalo State 1-0, but the contest against New Paltz ended in a 2-0 loss.