BUFFALO, N.Y. — Rachel Lenard’s (Orchard Park/Nardin) second period power-play goal was enough to lift Buffalo State to a 2-1 win over the No. 9 team in the country, Utica, this evening in an ECAC West game at the Buffalo State Ice Arena.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 2, Utica – 1
LOCATION: Buffalo State Ice Arena – Buffalo, N.Y.
RECORDS: Buffalo State (2-0-1, 1-0-0), Utica (0-1-0, 0-1-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lenard and Erin Gehen (West Seneca/West Seneca West) scored Buffalo State’s goals. Brooke Krantz (Penticton, BC/Penticton) assisted on both tallies while Viivi Vaattovaara (Veikkola, Finland/Hameenlinnan Lyseon Lukio) and Christine Harris (Mountain Top, Pa./Wyoming Seminary) each added an assist.
Gehen got the scoring started 3:37 into the game. The junior tipped a shot from the point right on net and continued to follow her shot, slamming home the ensuing rebound for a 1-0, Bengal lead.
Utica would answer less than five minutes later, as Meghan Power tied the game at one.
The first period would end 1-1, with Buffalo State holding a slight 7-6 edge in shots.
The second period continued what was a very close game being played by both teams.
With 1:39 left in the second, Lenard found herself collapsing to the net like the rest of the Bengals’ power-play unit. After Utica’s goalie made two nice saves, Lenard made sure the third time was the charm and hammered home the rebound to give Buffalo State a 2-1 lead.
Utica started to put the pressure on in the third, outshooting Buffalo State, 7-1. While Utica was getting pucks to the net, Buffalo State’s defense made sure the shots were coming from a distance.
Goalie Justine Silva (Baldwin Park, CA/Arroyo) turned aside all seven third period shots to preserve the 2-1 win. She finished the evening with 20 saves.
FOR THE FOES
Power scored Utica’s lone goal. Kayla Dion and Jane Pagano each recorded an assist. Keira Goin made 15 saves in the losing effort.
UP NEXT
Buffalo State and Utica will be right back at it tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Buffalo State Ice Arena.
