Special to The OBSERVER

Fredonia State fell just short in its upset bid Friday vs. No. 16 Geneseo at University Stadium.

Blue Devil freshman Gabby Alston forged a 1-1 tie in the 62nd minute with her third goal of the season. Geneseo scored the game-winner in the 77th minute on a header of its own, by Taylor Clar, directly off a corner kick by Mackenzie Griffin.

Grace Dunnigan also scored for the Knights, who improved to 10-2-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the SUNYAC. The loss dropped the Blue Devils to 4-6-2 overall and 1-2-2 in the conference heading into today’s 1 p.m. home game vs. Brockport.

Fredonia State’s Sabrina Suriani, one of seven freshmen in the starting lineup, had 12 saves in goal. It was the fourth straight game she’s had double-digit saves. Geneseo’s Julia McDonald was credited with two saves.

The Knights, who had a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks, wasted little time gaining the upper hand with Dunnigan’s goal following a steal and quick transition in Fredonia State’s defensive end. Hannah Sullivan had an assist.

The play leading to Alston’s goal began in the midfield. Gabby Audette sent a through ball ahead to Nicki Barlow, who dribbled the ball into the right corner before sending a cross soaring into the box. Alston beat a defender to the ball and headed it past McDonald.

Clar’s game-winner came while she was being marked on the set piece off the corner kick. Her header took one big bounce off the pitch and bounded over Suriani and into the upper net.