BUFFALO — Nationally-ranked No. 14 Buffalo State saw its historic season come to an end in heartbreaking fashion today at Coyer Field, falling on penalty kicks to Montclair State in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. The Bengals and Red Hawks officially played to a 1-1 draw, but Montclair advances to the second round, winning 3-1 in the penalty kick shootout.
Buffalo State appeared to have struck first in the 40th minutes, but an apparent goal was nullified by a foul. The Bengals did pull ahead moments later, however, when Victoria Colotti (New Windsor/Newburgh Free) netted her fifth of the season just 1:39 before halftime. After Melissa Smith (N. Tonawanda/Niagara Wheatfield) was tripped in the box to draw a penalty kick, Colotti took the attempt. Her try was stopped by a diving Red Hawk goalkeeper, but Colotti alertly pounced on the rebound and sent it to the back of the net.
Montclair netted the equalizer in the 55th minute with a strong blast from right wing that glanced off the cross bar and into the goal. Neither team would strike again for the remainder of regulation or in the pair of overtimes, allowing the game to officially end in a 1-1 draw, setting up a penalty kick shootout to determine the advancing team. The Bengals finished the contest with a 14-10 edge in shots and a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks. Taylor Carillo (Pine Bush/Pine Bush) made six saves in goal for Buffalo State. Both teams were whistled for 11 fouls each in a physical contest.
Montclair State opened the penalty kick shootout with a successful attempt by Daniella Greco which was matched by Breanna Knight (Valley Stream/Valley Stream South). After Carillo made a diving stop on Erin Sullivan’s second-round attempt, Colotti was stopped by Molly Barrow. Brooke Beatty scored in the third round for Montclair and Tianna Hatch’s (Endicott/Elmira Free Acad.) ricocheted off the cross bar for the Bengals. Emily Beenders’ successful attempt for the Red Hawks pushed the advantage to 3-1, and Barrow sealed the win with a save on a shot by Malyssa Chanthasoto (Norwood, NJ/NV at Old Tappan).
Buffalo State set a school record with a 17 wins this season and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.
from BuffaloStateAthletics.com via IFTTT
