BUFFALO, N.Y. – William Smith and Buffalo State played to a 4-4 draw through 40 minutes, but the Bengals recorded three third period goals to pull away from the Herons. Morgan Bayreuther scored twice in the second period to tie game-high honors for the Herons.
The Herons (2-13-1, 1-9-1) opened the scoring at 7:20 of the first period. Dori Craig won a faceoff in the offensive zone to Rachel McKay. Kiley Fewster broke to the net off of the draw and redirected McKay’s point shot past the Buffalo State goalie. The goal was Fewster’s second of the season and came on William Smith’s first shot of the game. Moments later, Buffalo State’s Justine Silva made a huge save on Bayreuther to keep the Bengals within one.
Buffalo State (8-6-2, 6-3-0) tied the game at one with just under two minutes left in the opening period. Brooke Krantz scored her first goal of the night firing a shot past William Smith goalie Maggie Salmon into the back of the net. Caitie Horvatits was credited with the assist on the goal.
Goals came early and often for both teams in the second period. Kara Goodwin gave the Bengals a 2-1 lead scoring on a power play goal. Three and a half minutes later, with the Herons on a 5-3 power play, Krista Federow collected her team-leading seventh goal to tie the game at two. Rebecca Begley and Catherine Linehan were credited with assists on the Federow goal. Buffalo State went back out in front when Missy Mallon scored an unassisted shorthanded goal.
At 11:17 of the second period, Bayreuther blasted home a breakaway goal to tie the game at three. With just over five minutes remaining in the period, Bri Carroll scored to give the Bengals a 4-3 lead. Thirty-eight seconds later, Bayreuther banged home a Federow rebound to tie the game at four.
Buffalo State broke the game open in the third period scoring the game’s final three goals. Goodwin’s second goal of the game came 3:49 into the third period. She collected a pass from Krantz and fired a shot past Salmon. Alison Mish and Krantz scored 32 seconds a part to give the Bengals the 7-4 lead.
Salmon started in net for William Smith and recorded 34 saves, 16 of which came in the first period . Silva started in goal for Buffalo State and recorded 14 saves.
Both teams went one for five on the power play. William Smith’s goal came on a 5 on 3 while the Bengals goal came early in the second period with the Herons down a skater.
The Herons and Buffalo State will square off again tomorrow in Buffalo, New York. The game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
