PITTSBURGH, Pa. - On Saturday, the Cougars (4-1) took on the Fredonia Blue Devils (4-3) in what might be the closest game played by either team all season. In what turned out to be a tremendous finish to the game the Cougars scored the final two goals of the game to take a narrow 12-11 victory in their first home game of the season.


The Cougars quickly fell behind as the Blue Devils scored the first two goals of the game just three minutes in giving them a two goal lead that would not last for long. The Cougars went on to score the next four goals to close out the first quarter ahead by a pair of their own 4-2. Natalie Ondo, Campbell Murphy, Izzy Davanti and Marcella Valentine all put tallies on the board for the Cougars. The second quarter was not as eventful as each team scored one goal, first the Blue Devils who were answered by standout first year Bella Walski-Rodriguez giving the Cougars a 5-3 lead at halftime.


The second half continued the back and forth trend as the Blue Devils got back within one goal before the Cougars opened up the largest lead of the game with the following two goals, scored by Davanti and Walski-Rodriguez. The Blue Devils then came all the way back and tied the game at seven before Walski-Rodriguez capped off her hat trick with a goal six seconds before the end of the third quarter giving the Cougars an 8-7 lead heading into the final frame. 


The fourth quarter was a quarter of runs. After the Blue Devils tied the game two minutes into the final quarter, the Cougars scored the next two goals, Murphy from the free position and Natalie Ondo. The Blue Devils refused to go quietly however, scoring the next three goals taking an 11-10 lead with less than five minutes remaining. The Cougars, not to be outdone, scored the final two goals and after a save by Meghan Cuza-Berry with 80 seconds remaining, the Cougars were able to run out the clock winning 12-11.


Leading the scoring for the Cougars were Walski-Rodriguez with five points (3G, 2A) and Murphy with four points (2G, 2A). Valentine, Davanti and Ondo each had two goals while Sara Kaesshaefer scored the game winner with three minutes remaining. Murphy also led the Cougars with game highs in draw controls (8) and ground balls (3). Sofia Hoetzlein-Sirman had a game high four caused turnovers. Meghan Cuza-Berry picked up her fourth win of the season making five saves.


The Cougars will be back in action on Saturday March 23rd when they start PAC play hosting Bethany at UPMC Graham Field with a 1 PM start time.