The first good chance of the game went to the host Dunkirk who carried the ball down the right side of the field and attempted a cross to the middle. The cross was thwarted by Fredonia goalkeeper Kelly Gullo as she intercepted the intended pass and cleared the ball and the Dunkirk opportunity.

After the quick chance, Fredonia realized the Lady Marauders were ready to play and defend their home turf. Fredonia responded perfectly with a couple of chances in their own right, including a screaming shot labled for the top corner that was robbed by Dunkirk goalie Kymi Nance.

“Early chances in any sport really create your momentum,” said Fredonia head coach Brett Gould. “They’re big moments and create your momentum. Tonight we didn’t capitalize on those early chances.”

Immediately after a prime Fredonia chance struck the crossbar, the Lady Marauders reacted with an opportunity of their own as Kaitlyn Davis got sprung on the counterattack and darted by the Fredonia defense for a breakaway, but she could not Kelly Gullo in net.

OBSERVER Photos by Ron Szot At left, Fredonia’s Caelin Holt protects the ball from Dunkirk’s Rachel Glowniak. At right, Dunkirk’s Kaitlyn Davis (12) attempts to maintain possession against Fredonia. Fredonia would end up winning the game 1-0.

As the first half winded down, Fredonia felt a sense of urgency and made a substitution with 15 minutes remaining in the half. The Fredonia substitution payed off 14 minutes later as Ella Koopman found Rylee Beers in the box, and Beers made a quick dribble then shot the ball into the lower left side of the net for a 1-0 Fredonia lead.

“That’s a fun one when you look at who scored it,” Coach Gould said about the Fredonia goal. “It was an eighth grader assisting a Freshman. It proved it doesn’t matter how old you are, if you are ready to play at this level you are ready to play at this level. It was disciplined in organization, it was disciplined in shape, it was disciplined in trust.”

Trailing by a goal to start the second half, Dunkirk brought it to the Lady ‘Billies as they battled for possession in the home stretch. Unfortunately for Dunkirk, Fredonia too kicked up the tempo for the second half and started to play more aggressive. After a bit of back-and-forth action, Kazlin Beers made a strong run down the right side and took it to the net, but was met by Nance in net who turned down the opportunity and kept the Fredonia lead at 1-0.

“I am so happy to get Kymi back,” said Dunkirk head coach Chris Piede. “She was out this year because of injury and her first game back Tuesday was frustrating because that Allegany-Limestone team is so strong… but it was great to have Kymi back today. She was a 100% and she can be the game changer. She was stellar back there and my whole defense was.”

After the opportunity by Kazlin Beers, Fredonia continued to put on the pressure as they searched for a second goal. Dunkirk’s defender’s made a strong stand and didn’t allow anything easy for their rivals.

In the ending minutes of the game, the Lady Marauders brought some pressure and the home crowd got behind them as they tried to send the match to overtime. Fredonia’s defenders stayed true and held their own in the dwindling minutes, but a near chance with about five minutes left almost tied the game.

“A couple of bounces and we could have gotten the result,” stated Coach Piede.

The bounces did not go the host Dunkirk’s way at the end as Kelly Gullo claimed the shutout and win for Fredonia. Dunkirk will attempt to get back on the right track on Saturday when they travel to Olean. Fredonia will test their talents on Saturday when they host Allegany-Limestone.