BUFFALO, NY- Buffalo State scored the game-winner with less than two minutes remaining in regulation as it topped the nationally ranked No. 9 Utica College women’s hockey team in ECAC West Conference action Saturday afternoon.
The Pioneers drop to 0-2 on the young season and will look to rebound next weekend as they take on William Smith in a home-and-home series. UC will travel to Geneva, NY on Friday to face the Herons at 7 p.m. before both teams return to Utica on Sunday for an 11 a.m. faceoff. The Bengals meanwhile improve to 3-0-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference.
The Bengals controlled the majority of the first period, outshooting the Pioneers 9-1 at one point thanks to three power play opportunities. Utica battled back over the next period and a half to bring the shots to 17-13 after two periods, in favor of the home team.
Buff State broke the deadlock with 1:47 remaining in regulation as Erin Gehen netted her fourth of the year, assisted by Christine Harris and Emily DeCock.
The Pioneers threatened in the final minutes as they were awarded a power play and pulled Utica net minder Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School) to have a 6-on-4 advantage. It appeared as though Utica had gotten the equalizer with less than 30 seconds remaining, however the puck never fully crossed the goal line and the Bengal defense held on for its second one-goal win of the weekend.
Goin made 27 saves in the loss, while Buff State’s Justine Silva stopped all 25 shots for her first shutout of the season. Utica went 0-for-4 on the power play, while holding the Bengals scoreless on eight power play chances.
