BUFFALO — Natasha Steinle (Morrison, CO/CIHA) netted three goals and Justine Silva (Baldwin Park, CA/Arroyo) made 22 stops as third-seeded Buffalo State earned its first-ever playoff victory, defeating visiting No. 6 Potsdam, 4-0, tonight in an ECAC West Quarterfinal contest.
After a scoreless opening period, Buffalo State erupted for three goals in a span of 2:23 early in the second period. Steinle started things off with a high wrist shot off a feed from Rachel Lenard (Orchard Park, NY/Nardin). Just over a minute later, Harris tallied her sixth goal of the season with a quick shot off a pass from Erin Gehen (W. Seneca, NY/W. Seneca West). Then Steinle completed the barrage with her second of the game with Lenard picking up another assist. Buffalo State held the 3-0 lead entering the final frame and limited Potsdam to just seven shots while successfully killing off a pair of penalties. Steinle completed her first career hat trick into the empty net in the final minute for her 14th goal of the season. Buffalo State finished with a 24-22 edge in shots on goal. The Bengals were 0 for 1 on the power play, and the Bears were 0 for 4.
Buffalo State advances to the ECAC West semifinals at second-seeded Elmira on Sunday at 3 p.m. Utica, who defeated Oswego, 5-3, in tonight’s other quarterfinal, will visit top-seeded Plattsburgh in Sunday’s other semifinal.
from BuffaloStateAthletics.com via IFTTT
