Special to the OBSERVER
Fredonia State men's hockey closes out its first semester with a home game Tuesday against Penn State. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Blue Devils (5-7-0) are coming off a weekend split with Elmira - a 4-2 win Friday at Steele Hall, and a 4-1 loss Saturday at Elmira.
While they have been outscored 50-23 this season, they still have displayed a penchant for tight defense. They've allowed six goals (and have scored 15) in their five wins.
Head coach Jeff Meredith feels his team turned the corner with is play this weekend.
"There are a few areas of our game," he said, "that still need some shoring up, namely, our special teams. I thought our first 10 minutes (on Saturday) was the best start of the year. We generated chances, and a lot of them but just was not able to finish them.
"The encouraging thing is that we are getting those chances where six weeks ago we were not. I think there is a lot to be optimistic about and I think the guys are feeling it as well."
In its first season as a varsity program, Penn State is making its sixth trip to New York State this season. The Nittany Lions (6-7-0) have wins over Rochester Institute of Technology and Army, and have been defeated one by Buffalo State and twice by Union. In addition, Penn State defeated Buffalo State in a rematch at University Park, Pa.
Originally scheduled for Oct. 30, the game was postponed then because of impending Hurricane Sandy on the east coast.
Meanwhile, Fredonia State freshman forward Taylor Bourne has been chosen SUNYAC Rookie of the Week through games played Sunday.
Bourne netted two goals Friday in the Blue Devils' 4-2 home win over the Elmira Soaring Eagles. They were his third and fourth goals of the season and his fifth and sixth points, the most among Blue Devil freshmen.
He is the second Blue Devil to win the Rookie of the Week award this season. Chad Bennett was cited on Nov. 5.
Men's Swimming and Diving
Three more SUNYAC
awards for Blue Devils
Fredonia State won three of the four SUNYAC weekly awards in swimming & diving.
In men's diving, senior Ryan Fuller was named Male Diver of the Week for the second straight time and the fourth time this season. Fuller posted scores of 251.93 in the 3-meter and 243.75 in the 1-meter in the Blue Devils' home meet Friday, Dec. 8, vs. Gannon. Fuller had the highest score in both events. Men's junior John Estanislau captured three victories in the Gannon meet. He finished first in the 100-yard freestyle (47.75 seconds), the 50-yard freestyle (21.90) and was part of the winning the 200-yard medley relay (1:37.96). It was the second time this season Estanislau has been cited by the SUNYAC this season.
In addition, senior Emily Ginty was named Women's Swimmer of the Week - the third different Blue Devil to win the award this season. Ginty was a triple winner as the Blue Devils defeated Gannon for the first time. She set a new school mark in the 100-yard backstroke in 59.92 seconds. She also touched first in the 200-yard individual medley in 2:14.09. Her 200-yard medley relay team also claimed first in 1:51.88.
The other Fredonia State women to win the award this season are senior Lizzie Lodinsky and sophomore Steph Rosa. In addition, the Blue Devils have claimed four of the six Women's Diver of the Week awards, two by senior Sarah Ficarro and two by junior Ashley Keller.
