OBSERVER File Photo Fredonia’s Caleb Reynolds plays the ball upfield during a game earlier this season. Reynolds was one of six Fredonia seniors who played his final regular season game at Fredonia High School on Saturday. Fredonia defeated rival-Dunkirk, 2-0.

OBSERVER Staff Report

On a day when six seniors were honored during their last regular-season home game, Fredonia scored a goal in each half and went on to the 2-0 victory over the Dunkirk Marauders in CCAA boys varsity soccer on Saturday afternoon at Fredonia High School.

The Hillbillies (6-2-1, 6-5-1) posted their third consecutive league shutout.

Michael Persch opened the scoring for Fredonia in the 32nd minute on a low shot from just outside the penalty area.

“We have been playing pretty well as of late and the players wanted to head into the final week of the regular season on a good note,” Fredonia coach Jim Rush said. “We knew this was going to be a tough game. It’s a rivalry game. We came out aggressive against Dunkirk and we were finally able to put one in the net late in the first half to open the scoring.”

Alex Rush scored the Hillbillies’ second goal in the 48th minute in the second half. Michael Dispense had the assist.

“We played well throughout the game and the second goal gave us some breathing room,” Rush said. “This was a good team win.”

Marcus Seastedt had four saves in goal for the Hillbillies.

“Our team defense has been excellent,” Rush said.

The Marauders finished the league season with a 1-8-1 mark. With two non-league games remaining in the regular season, Dunkirk is 2-10-2 overall and travels to Salamanca/Cattaraugus-Little Valley on Tuesday.

Fredonia plays a non-league game at Frontier High School on Tuesday night before heading to Olean on Oct. 11th to play the Huskies in the final regular-season league game for both teams. The winner will clinch second place outright in the league behind Southwestern.

“We have a lot to play for next week and that is all you can ask for,” Rush said. “A win in Olean would give us second place in the league and a higher seed in the upcoming sectional tournament. We need to continue to work hard in practice and get better each day. Olean is a good side and it will be a tough match. We have to be at our best from the opening kickoff.”

During halftime ceremonies, Fredonia’s six seniors, Max Kinkela, Gabe Persch, Michael Persch, Caleb Reynolds, Jimmy Rush and Marcus Seastedt were honored along with Dunkirk’s four seniors, Matt Hanlon, Norberto Salazar Jr., Miguel Sanchez and Tristan Skelly.