Recapping events from Monday, January 19 – Sunday, January 25

MEN’S HOCKEY (5-12) – Bengals Sweep Neumann

Buffalo State defeated Neumann Friday night, 6-3, in a contest that saw the two teams combine for 102 minutes in penalties.

The home team scored the first two goals of the game, but Buffalo State roared back with four straight goals in the second period to take a 4-2 lead heading into the final stanza. Neumann closed the gap to 4-3 at 13:50 of the third, but the Bengals responed with a pair of goals in the next two minutes to ice the victory. Mark Yoder (Ft. Wayne, IN) led the attack with two goals and two assists. Mike DeMarco (Niagara Falls) added a goal and two assists, and Greg Prybylski (Cheektowaga) and Sean Castagna (San Jose, CA) each had a goal and an assist. Mike Zalewski (Grand Rapids, MI) added the other Bengal goal, and Sean O'Connell (Buffalo) chipped in three assists.

Buffalo State improved to 5-12-0 overall on Saturday after a 5-4 win against Neumann to complete the sweep.

The Bengals found themselves down 3-2 after the first period, with goals coming from a pair of freshman in rookies DeMarco and O’Connell. Castagna and junior Josh Magnuson (Chisago, MN) each added second period goals to send the game tied at 4-4 going into the final frame. O’Connell blasted home the game-winner on a powerplay goal with 1:01 left on the scoreboard.

Freshman goaltender Sean Sheehan (Mt. Laurel, NJ) improved his record to 3-1 with his 23 save performance against the Knights. DeMarco finished the evening with a four-point performance, including a goal and three assists. Forward Morgan McElman (Bayside, NB) and defensemen Matt Stankevich (Spokane, WA) each added two assists to their season totals.

Buffalo State will be back on the ice this weekend for a pair of home games against SUNYAC opponents Plattsburgh and Potsdam. Friday’s game against Plattsburgh is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm.

MEN’S BASKETBALL (9-5/3-3) – Bengals Drop Pair of Conference Games

Buffalo State senior forward Joshua Becker (Hamburg/Frontier) became the 17th player in history to score 1000 points in a Bengal uniform but was unable to lead the Bengals to a win Tuesday night against SUNYAC opponent Geneseo. The Bengals drop to 9-4 overall and 3-2 in the SUNYAC after the 80-64 road loss.

The Bengals opened the second half with a 39-34 lead over the Blue Knights and expanded their lead to 42-34 when Becker hit a three on the Bengals’ first possession of the half. The Knights fought back and took a 60-58 lead with just over six minutes to play in regulation. The Bengals found themselves down 67-66 after sophomore Kevin Roche (Williamsville/Williamsville East) hit two free throws with three minutes to play in the game. The Knights sealed the victory by going on a seven point run over the next two minutes, opening a lead Buffalo State could not catch.

Becker needed just three of his team-leading 26 points to reach the 1000 point mark, a feat he achieved in 40 minutes of play for the Bengals. Junior guard Jeremy Konst (Williamsville/Williamsville East) had 15 points and three assists in 35 minutes on the floor for Buffalo State.

Four players in double-figures led Potsdam (9-6/5-2) past Buffalo State (9-5/3-3) on Saturday in a SUNYAC contest at the Sports Arena.

The Bears led 38-32 at halftime and opened the second half with a 14-5 run to expand their lead to 15 points. Potsdam never let the Bengals closer than nine points as it earned its second victory in as many nights.

Perry Davis (Buffalo/Seneca) led the Bengals with his eighth double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Becker added 17 points for Buffalo State.

Buffalo State will return to action Tuesday night when it travels to Brockport. Potsdam will host Oswego on Tuesday n8/3-3) – Bengals Earn Conference Split

Buffalo State fell to a 5-8 record overall and a 3-2 record in the SUNYAC Tuesday night with a 64-54 loss at Geneseo. The Blue Knights improved to 8-5 overall and 2-2 in the conference with the win.

With the score at the half tied at 25, the two teams traded buckets in the opening minutes of the second half until the Bengals opened up a slim 33-32 lead with just over 14 minutes to play in the game. The Blue Knights went on a run over the next seven minutes giving themselves a ten-point advantage, a margin the Bengals would be unable to overcome.

Sophomore forward Jacey Brooks (Machias/Franklinville) led the Bengals in scoring with 18 points. Brooks also had five rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Senior Monique Hanks (Liverpool/Liverpool) added 12 points, four rebounds and three steals to her career totals.

Buffalo State (6-8/4-2) led 40-9 at halftime and never looked back as it cruised to a 73-33 victory over Potsdam (3-11/1-6) Saturday at the Sports Arena.

Buffalo State received scoring from 11 different players, led by Brooks’ 15 points. Desi Gibson (Rochester/Edison Tech) scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Hanks scored 10 points and pulled down nine boards and had five steals, and Darnika Moseley (Liverpool/Liverpool) added 10 points.

Buffalo State will return to action Tuesday night when it travels to Brockport. Potsdam will host Oswego on Tuesday night.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY (2-12-1/0-7-1) – Bengals Split at Trinity

Buffalo State earned its first victory since the opening weekend of the season as it blanked Trinity 1-0 in Connecticut on Saturday afternoon.

Emma Wadsworth (Arlington, VA) provided the Bengals with all the offense they would need, as rookie goaltender Chrissy Michalek (W. Seneca/W. Seneca East) made 26 saves for her first collegiate shutout.

Buffalo State fell short of the weekend sweep, as Trinity edged the Bengals 2-1 on Sunday.

Trinity opened the scoring at 4:33 of the second period, but the Bengals knotted the score when freshman Tami Clayton (Toms River, NJ) netted a goal at 15:49. Trinity scored again at 7:42 of the third period, however, and held on for the narrow victory.

Mary Keddie (Williamsville/Williamsville North) made 29 saves, as the Bengals were outshot 31-19.

Buffalo State is now 2-12-1 and will host Bethel in a pair of non-conference games this Friday and Saturday.

SWIMMING & DIVING – Bengals Swim at Conference Rival Oswego

Buffalo State traveled to SUNYAC-power Oswego Saturday for a dual meet and lost 112-92 on the men's side and 108.5-59.5 on the women's side.

Bret Stodolka (Darien/Alexander) highlighted the men's docket, claiming both the one-meter (247.30) and the three-meter (242.10) diving events. Eric Hastings (Wilmington, DE/Mt. Pleasant) provided the other individual win for the men in the 500 free as he swam 5:11.58.

The men's team fell to 1-5, while the women dropped to 0-6. Buffalo State will close out the regular meet schedule next Saturday at Brockport.

TRACK & FIELD – Bengals Open Indoor Season at Fredonia Early Open

Buffalo State's indoor track and field teams opened the 2004 slate with a non-score meet at Fredonia with several impressive individual performances.

Justin Muise (Kenmore/Kenmore West) and Michael Taylor (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) each captured first place finishes on the men's side. Muise won the 200m dash in 23.45 and also placed fifth in the 55m dash with a time of 6.83. Taylor recorded the longest distance in the triple jump, leaping 12.82 meters. Ken Ciolek (Limestone/Bradford Area) placed third in the long jump with a distance of 6.47 meters. Eugene Overton (Syracuse/Corcoran) added a fourth place showing in the 55m dash (6.80) and Matthew Kubiak (Lakeview/Frontinished fifth in the 1,000m run (2:41.28).

On the women's side, Christine Gardner (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) had the top showing, finishing fifth in the pole vault, clearing 2.59 meters. Sarah Gedraitis (Lockport/Akron) earned a pair of seventh place finishes in the shot put (9.56m) and the weight throw (9.50m). A third freshman, Katie Doane (Grand Island/Grand Island) added a ninth place finish in the 800m run clocking 2:35.59.

The Bengals next meet will be February 7 at Mt. Union (OH).