Making a case to stay in SUNYAC’s upper tier
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FREDONIA -- Fredonia State women's soccer enters the 2026 season with momentum, experience and a clear target: a third straight year with a home SUNYAC Tournament game and another double-digit win campaign.
The Blue Devils open the season today at Nazareth, the first of three nonconference matches before returning home for the Friday, Sept. 11 opener against Utica in the 2026 Blue Devil Classic.
Fredonia is coming off a 10-6-4 season in 2025, including 6-2-1 in the SUNYAC and 6-1-3 at University Stadium. The Blue Devils earned the No. 3 seed in last year’s SUNYAC Tournament and defeated Oswego 1-0 in double overtime on a goal by senior forward Bronwyn Madden, assisted by Brooke Grazen.
Madden and senior forward Gabby Irwin headline the returning group after sharing the team scoring lead with 23 points apiece last season. Madden led the team with 11 goals. Irwin finished with seven goals and nine assists, her nine assists leading the SUNYAC. Her 25 career assists are already a Fredonia State program record. She earned United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Region and First Team All-SUNYAC honors. Madden was a First Team All-SUNYAC selection and made the SUNYAC All-Tournament Team.
Grazen, now graduated and serving as an assistant coach, capped her playing career with United Soccer Coaches Academic All-Region, Third Team All-Region, First Team All-SUNYAC and SUNYAC All-Tournament Team honors. Graduate defender Kerrigan Driskell and senior midfielder Alyssa Sabato were both named Third Team All-SUNYAC.
Fredonia returns nearly its entire starting lineup from last season, including senior midfielders Irwin, Madden, Sabato and Jordan Niccola, along with senior defenders Makayla Stainbrook and Jinan Clark. They are joined by sophomore forward Anna Ratchuk (four goals, four assists, 12 points), and sophomore midfielders Kacey Mosher, Allie Trombley and Layla McLean, forming one of the most experienced returning groups in the conference.
"We do have a good level of upperclassmen, including 11 seniors," said head coach Chris Case. "It has helped with our progress so far in the preseason. They have a done a good job helping our new players make the transition to the college game. Our returners have come back stronger and fitter than where we were before, so that should help us as we navigate the rigors of the season."
Goalkeeping will be a storyline early in the season. Senior Abby Szymkowiak, who made six starts in 2025 and posted a 3-1-2 record with four shutouts, a .923 save percentage and a 0.50 goals-against average, is recovering from an injury. In her absence, first-year player Allyssa Hatch will take on an expanded role early, giving the Blue Devils a promising young option in net.
Hatch is one of seven newcomers that also includes defenders Emma Stahl and Avery Aloi; midfielders Paige Sikorski, Hailey Czech and Annika Tamppari; and forward Abby Helmecke.
"We have seven new additions that will help increase our level of play," Case said. "All seven of them have come in ready to work and grow within our team. Each one is making good strides on understanding and competing in the early going. I'm excited to see how they continue to grow and help our team as the season goes."
Combined with a 12-8 record and a playoff win over Buffalo State in 2024, Fredonia has established itself as a consistent postseason threat -- and a program aiming to stay in the SUNYAC’s upper tier. The SUNYAC format changes this fall, introducing East and West divisions. Division winners will earn double byes, while the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds receive single byes, giving those four teams home postseason matches. With back-to-back years hosting playoff games, Fredonia enters 2026 positioned to compete for one of those top spots.