BUFFALO — Alanna Herne (Tonawanda/Tonawanda) tallied seven points and Buffalo State rallied to take a second-half lead, but could not hang on as it dropped a hard-fought 13-12 decision against visiting Union in today’s season-opener on a frigid Coyer Field.
Herne paced Buffalo State with seven points on three goals and four assists. Christina Krowel (Amsterdam/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) netted a team-best four goals to go with one assist, while Morgan Hogue (Painted Post/Corning) had two goals and three assists. Jackie Dufresne (Lake View/Frontier) scored twice, and Cassie Saint-Vil (Middletown/Middletown) chipped in a single marker for the Bengals.
Union took control early in the game, jumping out to a 5-1 lead, before the Bengals cut the deficit to 6-3 by halftime. Buffalo State opened the second half on a 6-2 run, capped by Krowel’s second of the game to take its first lead of the day at 9-8 with 12:43 remaining. After trading goals, Union scored three-straight to reclaim a 12-10 lead with just 2:12 left in regulation. After Herne netted her third of the game with 1:52 remaining, she set up Krowel for her fourth to even the score at 12-12 just 19 seconds later. Union corralled the ensuing draw control, however, and tallied the game-winner with 1:08 left in regulation. The Dutchwomen gathered the next draw control as well and successfully ran out the clock for the win. Union held a narrow 24-23 edge in shot attempts with Buffalo State directing 18 on goal, compared to 17 by the Dutchwomen. Elyse Stark (Lido Beach/Long Beach) allowed six goals with two saves in just over 25 minutes of play, before Megan Doyle (Palmyra/Palmyra-Macedon) surrendered seven goals while making two stops for remainder of the game.
Buffalo State will play again on Thursday at D’Youville at 4:30 p.m.
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