Three Blue Devils Take Claim NYSW State Cup Crown

Three freshman members of the Fredonia State Men's Soccer Team are also members of another team - Black Watch Buffalo Arsenal, who was crowned champions of the U19 Division of the New York State West Youth Soccer Organization's State Cup Championships held this past weekend in Cortland, N.Y.  FSU freshman Sammy Defranks started 12 of 15 games he appeared in for the team this past fall while fellow freshman Ryan Keller started 17 of all 17 appearances he made.  The third member of the trio was James Ritchie who played for the Monroe Community College Tribunes - finalists in the NJCAA Region III Championships.  Ritchie transferred to Fredonia after the fall semester, participated with the team in the spring, and will suit up this coming fall.  The Black Watch team got off to a slow start in their quest for the cup falling to United FC out of Binghamton by a one to zero score.  The team rebounded the following day over ALS of Hornell by a score of 14-1.  The one goal allowed could have been very costly as the team headed into a showdown with Lancaster 19s from Lancaster, N.Y.  The squad had to win by a score of two to zero while Lancaster only needed no worse than a one to zero loss to advance and win the cup.  Amazingly Black Watch Arsenal was able to pull off the exact scoreline needed to advance on goal differential by a count of +5 over United at +4 and Lancaster at +3.  The team now advances to the Region One Championships in Rhode Island June 25th to June 29th.  United FC received a wild card birth to championship as well.  There is no shame for Fredonia fans in how Lancaster played with a two and one record especially with FSU freshman Sam Greco on the team as well as transfer Brian Theuerkauf who will join the Fredonia State team this fall.  Well done all around!