BUFFALO, N.Y. – Richard Boyce and Jordan Oye each recorded a goal and two assists as Fredonia defeated Cortland, 5-2, in the season opener for both teams at the non-league SUNYAC Challenge, hosted by Buffalo State. The Red Dragons will play the host Bengals Saturday at 7 p.m. in the predetermined draw, with Fredonia facing Manhattanville at 4 p.m.

Sophomores Gerard Heinz (Kings Park/NY Apple Core Jr. A) and Frank Rizzo (St. James/NY Bobcats) scored goals for the Red Dragons, who were playing their first game under new head coach Joe Baldarotta. Sophomore goalie Benjamin Binga (Rochester/Syracuse Stars Jr. A) made 16 saves. Cortland outshot Fredonia, 25-21, but Pat Street made 23 saves for the defending SUNYAC tournament champion Blue Devils.

Steve Rizer gave Fredonia a 1-0 lead 2:03 into the game off assists from Boyce and Oye. Heinz tied the game with a power play goal 8:33 into the first, assisted by freshman Brent Fallon (Endicott/Binghamton Jr. Senators) and senior Justin Bodine (North Massapequa/New England College).

Fredonia took the lead for good on a Boyce power play tally with 5:45 left in the first. Oye and Alex Morton assisted on the play. Oye extended the lead to 3-1 less than two minutes later off assists from Neal Sheehan and Matt McKeown and Bryan Goudy scored on a power play 3:33 into the second period, also assisted by Sheehan and McKeown, to give the Blue Devils a 4-1 lead.

Rizzo answered at the 7:44 mark of the second to cut Cortland's deficit to 4-2. Sophomore Nick Shackford (Burke, VA/Bay State Breakers) and senior Barry McLaughlin (Bellport/Bay State Breakers) picked up assists on the goal. No one scored again until Colin Sarfeh connected off assists from Boyce and Goudy 8:25 into the third period for the game's final goal.

Fredonia St. 5, Cortland 2

Score by periods:
Cortland     1-1-0    2
Fredonia        3-1-1    5

Scoring Summary (Goals-Assists):
Cortland: Gerard Heinz 1-0, Frank Rizzo 1-0, Justin Bodine 0-1, Brent Fallon 0-1, Nick Shackford 0-1, Barry McLaughlin 0-1
Fredonia St.: Richard Boyce 1-2, Jordan Oye 1-2, Bryan Goudy 1-1, Colin Sarfeh 1-0, Steve Rizer 1-0, Neal Sheehan 0-2, Matt McKeown 0-2, Alex Morton 0-1

Saves: Benjamin Binga (Cortland) 16 saves (5 GA in 60:00); Pat Street (Fredonia) 23 saves (2 GA in 60:00)
Shots on Goal: Cortland 25 (9-7-9), Fredonia 21 (8-7-6)
Penalties: Cortland 6-12:00, Fredonia 8-16:00
Power Play: Cortland 1-7, Fredonia 2-5
Records after game: Cortland (Red Dragons) 0-1; Fredonia (Blue Devils) 1-0