Football Falls at Robert Morris; Men's Soccer Pitches Pair of Wins; Cross Country Hosts only Home Meet; Volleyball Wins Three Straight; Women's Soccer Drops Three; Tennis Ready to Begin Season

FOOTBALL (0-1) - Bengals Fall as Robert Morris Erupts in Second Half

Buffalo State opened the 2002 season Saturday at Division I-AA Robert Morris looking to erase the memories of a 1-8 record a year ago. The Colonials had other ideas however, as the Bengals returned home with a 41-12 defeat.

Buffalo State fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter, but the found the endzone on the last play of the half on a two-yard run by Felix Joyner (Rochester/Hilton), set up by a 27-yard catch and run by Billy Edwards (Buffalo/McKinley). After a missed extra-point, the Bengals went to the locker room trailing just 7-6.

Buffalo State got the ball to open the second half, but after a three-and-out series, Robert Morris scored on a blocked punt to make the score 14-6. Two possessions later, the Colonials Corey Oaks recorded a 40-yard interception return for a score, extending the lead to 21-6. Just two plays later, Oaks turned in a repeat performance, taking another pick to the house, this time from 59 yards. After another Colonial touchdown, Buffalo State?s Sterling Anderson (Detroit, MI/MLK) broke a 66-yard run to make the score 34-12. Robert Morris answered on the next play from scrimmage with a 50-yard run of its own to complete the scoring.

Curtis Hathcock (Buffalo/Bennett) was impressive in his Bengals debut with 213 yards in kick returns on seven attempts, including a 78-yarder that led to a missed field goal. Dave Chelus (West Seneca/West Seneca East) led the defense with 11 tackles and a fumble recovery. Mariano Granata (Lewiston/Lewiston-Porter) was 4-of-14 for 41 yards with four interceptions in his first game at quarterback.

Who?s Next?

Buffalo State will look to crack the win column next week in its home opener when Division II Mansfield visits Coyer Field. Kickoff is 1 p.m.

Damage Control?

Buffalo State trailed just 7-6 at halftime against Robert Morris, but surrendered a number of big plays that resulted in 34 second half points for the Colonials. In the third quarter, Robert Morris scored on interception returns of 40 and 59 yards, and a blocked punt return, and added a 50-yard run in the final quarter.

Two and Out?

Buffalo State's defense performed well in spite of the score on Saturday, especially on third and fourth downs. Buffalo State allowed Robert Morris to complete just two of its 10 third down opportunities, and held the Colonials to 1-of-3 on fourth down tries. On the other side of the ball, the Bengals were just 1-of-14 on third downs, but did convert on their lone fourth down try, a two-yard touchdown run by Felix Joyner (Rochester/Hilton) on the last play of the first half.



MEN'S SOCCER (2-1) - Bengals Win Big to Open Season; Pitch Pair of Shutouts

Buffalo State opened its season on Tuesday at the West Seneca Soccer Complex with an 11-0 win over D?Youville before splitting a pair of games in Virginia Beach at the Adidas Blue Marlin Classic.

The Bengals scored early and often against D?Youville as Buffalo State used a 25-3 advantage in shots to post an 11-0 win. Junior Mike Abrams (Allegany/Allegany-Limestone) led the Bengals offense with a 10-point explosion, scoring four goals and two assists. Four newcomers found the back of the net as Welson Joseph (Fairport/Fairport) and Jules Alie (Kanata, ONT/Trinity) each scored twice, Jon Lewis (Newport, WALES) added five points with a goal and three assists, and Brian Miller (Tonawanda/Kenmore East) scored once. Sophomore Tom Huebsch (Buffalo/St. Joe?s) also added a single tally. Kevin Senator (Scottsville/Wheatland-Chili) and Kameron Hughes (Buffalo/Performing Arts) combined for the shutout between the pipes.

Buffalo State opened the Blue Marlin Classic against the host school Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday, and lost 6-0. The number-two ranked team in the South Region outshot the Bengals 22-6.

The Bengals rebounded on Sunday, however, as they squeezed out a 1-0 victory over Guilford. Justin Weber (Amherst/Amherst) provided all the offense Buffalo State would need as he beat the Guilford goaltender in at 56:46. Senator took over from there, helping the Bengals overcome an 18-10 shot deficit as he made seven saves for his first career shutout.

Buffalo State improved its record to 2-1.

Who's Next?

Buffalo State will stay on the road this week as they will travel to Nazareth on Tuesday for a final non-conference tune-up before visiting Geneseo and Brockport next Friday and Saturday respectively to open its SUNYAC schedule.

Travelling Band?

Buffalo State will play three more contests before finally opening its home schedule on September 25 when it hosts R.I.T.



CROSS COUNTRY - Buffalo State Hosts Daniel Walker Memorial Invitational

Buffalo State kicked off its 2002 season hosting the Daniel Walker Memorial Invitational on Saturday at Beaver Island State Park. Featuring several of the top teams in the northeast, the Bengals held their own, finishing sixth of 11 teams on the men's side with 224 points, while the women placed ninth of 13 teams with 332 points. Edinboro won the men's meet with 39 points, and Geneseo claimed the women's title with 42 points.

Rookie Michael Herron (West Seneca/West Seneca East) led the Bengals in his collegiate debut, placing 10th in a strong field of 133 runners with a time of 27:27. AJ Walsh (Hamburg/Frontier) was the next Bengal finisher placing 40th and clocking 28:43, and Matt Kubiak (Lakeview/Frontier) crossed the line shortly after him in 44th position with a time of 28:51.

Freshman Tiffany Knarr (East Aurora/Iroquois) paced the women's team as she crossed the finish line in 38th position with a time of 20:49. Aleksandra Halin (Clarence/Clarence) was the next Bengal finisher with a 53rd place showing in 21:25. Nichole Van Hoesen (Stamford/Stamford) rounded out Buffalo State's top-three finishers, placing 69th with a time of 21:54.

What's Next?

Buffalo State will travel to the Oswego Invitational this Saturday.

Making Tracks Early?

Rookie Michael Herron (West Seneca/West Seneca East) got his Buffalo State career started in impressive fashion as he earned a 10th place finish in the Bengals opening meet. He became the first Buffalo State runner to place in the top-15 at the Daniel Walker Memorial Invitational since 1994.



VOLLEYBALL (3-5) - Buffalo State Wins Three Straight before Running out of Gas

After a 0-3 start to the season, Buffalo State won three consecutive matches this week, before falling to Nazareth and Cortland in the Gold Medal Bracket in the Cortland Red Dragon Classic.

Buffalo State earned its first victory of the season in its home opener on Tuesday, downing Hilbert 30-13, 30-10 and 30-12. Freshman Michelle Del Zoppo (Grand Island/Grand Island) saw her first significant playing time and recorded 12 assists and one ace. Katie Sansone (Tonawanda/Tonawanda) led the Bengals? defense with 11 digs.

The Bengals kicked off the Cortland Red Dragon Classic on Friday, winning both Pool C matches, defeating Keuka 30-23, 30-24 and 30-20, and St. Michael?s 33-35, 30-21, 30-15 and 30-23. Lisa Herrscher (Clarence/Clarence) and Monica Polka (Youngstown/Lewiston-Porter) led the Bengals past Keuka with 11 kills each, while Denise Jedynak (Hamburg/Frontier) had 11 digs. Against St. Michael?s, Polka had 22 kills, three aces and eight blocks, and Krista Wierzbicki (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) had 36 assists, 17 digs, five aces and seven blocks.

Buffalo State opened GoldMedal bracket competition on Saturday against SUNYAC-rival Cortland seeking revenge for last season?s loss in the conference semifinals. The host Red Dragons defeated the Bengals in four games, however, by scores of 27-30, 30-23, 30-17 and 30-26. Wierzbicki was strong again with another30 assists and eight digs, while Polka recorded 22 kills for the second straight match. Vicky Manos (Cheektowaga/Cheektowaga) and Herrscher each had 10 digs. The loss set up a meeting with national power Nazareth, and the Golden Flyers supported their top-15 ranking with a win by scores of 30-21, 30-23 and 30-15. Wierzbicki had 24 assists, while Polka recorded 12 kills, and Herrscher recorded double-digits in digs for the second straight match with 10.

Buffalo State moved its record to 3-5, and will have a full week of practice to retool before looking to establish a winning record.

Who's Next?

Buffalo State will travel to the North Country Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

Honor Roll?

Senior middle hitter Monica Polka (Youngstown/Lewiston-Porter) was selected to the Cortland Red Dragon Classic All-Tournament team for the third consecutive season. Junior setter Krista Wierzbicki (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) joined Polka as an All-Tourney selection. She is averaging 7.69 assists-per-game through 29 games this season.



WOMEN'S SOCCER - Buffalo State Searching for Offense in Three Straight Losses

The women's soccer team played three games this week, losing 2-1 to St. John and dropping two more at the Fredonia Invitational.

Wednesday night the Bengals traveled to St. John Fisher for a game under the lights, and lost 2-1. After allowing two first half goals, the Bengals Gina Monaco (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) scored Buffalo State's only goal on a nice pass from Karen Vogt (Tonawanda/Kenmore East). Although the Bengals played a tough second half, they could not make up the two-goal deficit.

On Friday the Bengals played against Penn State Behrend, and were again defeated 2-1. After a scoreless first half, Penn State Behrend scored two quick goals and never looked back. Freshman Gina Monaco (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) netted her fourth goal of the year on a rebound from and indirect kick taken by Amy Drozen (Willamsville/Willamsville East). Almost all of the Bengal players saw action, and Buffalo State had many chances in the game as they recorded 11 shots, but they just could not find the back of the net.

On Saturday Buffalo State faced Juniata College and lost their second game of the tournament, and third of the year, 2-0. Juniata outshot the Bengals 15-4.

Who's Next?

Buffalo State kicks off a five game home stand Wednesday, September 11 against R.I.T at 4 p.m., and then return to action next weekend with its first SUNYAC games on Friday against Geneseo, and Saturday against Brockport.

Hot Footed Freshman....

Buffalo State freshman forward Gina Monaco (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) has scored all four of the Bengal goals this year.



TENNIS - Bengals Ready to Open 2002 Season

Buffalo State will open its 2002 season this Tuesday at home against Fredonia under first-year head coach Christina Wilson. The Bengals will travel to Brockport on Thursday before hosting Oneonta on Saturday.