Recapping events from Monday, September 30 - Sunday, October 6, 2002

MEN'S SOCCER (4-6-1, 2-2) Bengals Improve SUNYAC Record With Two Wins

Buffalo State won two SUNYAC games this weekend at Coyer Field.

On Friday, the Bengals defeated New Paltz, 3-1. New Paltz opened the scoring on a penalty kick in the 49th minute. That was the only offense the Hawks were able to produce however, as Buffalo State scored three unanswered goals. Senior Dave Aselin (Rochester/Gates-Chili) started the scoring, netting his second goal of the year in the 64th minute. Jon Lewis (Newport, WHALES/St. Teilus) and Tom Huebsch (Buffalo/St. Joes) also scored in the victory.

On Saturday, Buffalo State won its second game of the weekend by defeating SUNYIT 2-1. Stu Hanson (Lincoln, ENGLAND/N. Kesteven) opened the scoring with a blast from 30 yards out. After many scoring chances for both teams, SUNYIT tied the score in the 24th minute on a misplayed ball by the Buffalo State defense. The game remained scoreless until the 68th minute when Brian Miller (Tonawanda/Kenmore East) scored the game winner on a shot from the left side of the box. Freshman goaltender Kevin Senator (Scottsville/Wheatland-Chili) recorded his first two career SUNYAC wins with a pair of outstanding performances. For his efforts, Senator was named Buffalo State Athlete of the Week.

Who's Next?

The Bengals play two more SUNYAC games this weekend, at Potsdam on Friday and Saturday at Plattsburgh with start times of 4 p.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.

VOLLEYBALL (12-8/2-2) - Volleyball Hangs on to Down St. John Fisher

Buffalo State played just a single match this past week, hosting St. John Fisher on Thursday night.

The Bengals sought to end the Cardinals seven-match winning and get back on track after a disappointing 2-2 record at the first round of SUNYAC Pool Play last weekend. Buffalo State exploded out of the gates, taking the first two games 30-19 and 30-18, but faltered in the third game losing 21-30. After falling behind 12-3 in the fourth game, the Bengals roared back to claim the deciding game 33-31. Krista Wierzbicki (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) registered 34 assists and 12 digs in the winning effort. Monica Polka (Youngstown/Lewiston-Porter) pounded 34 kills, and Vicky Manos (Cheektowaga/Cheektowaga) added a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs.

Buffalo State is now 12-8 on the season.

Who's Next?

Buffalo State will play its final home match of the regular season on Tuesday night when U. of Rochester visits for a 7 p.m. start. The Bengals will then travel to Ohio for the Hiram Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

Statistically Speaking?

According to the latest SUNYAC statistics, three Bengals top the list of leaders in aces-per-game. Monica Polka (Youngstown/Lewiston-Porter), Krista Wierzbicki (Cheektowaga/Maryvale) and Vicky Manos (Cheektowaga/Cheektowaga) are all averaging .64 aces-per-game. Polka also leads the conference with 1.39 blocks-per-game.

WOMEN'S SOCCER (3-8, 1-4) - Bengals Drop Two more on the Road

Buffalo State dropped a pair of SUNYAC games this weekend. Friday, the Bengals recorded only six shots on goal, and were held scoreless until the 83rd minute when Gina Monaco (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) netted her 10th goal of the season on a pass from Amy Drozen (Willamsville/Willamsvile East). Goaltenders Erin Strassburg (N. Tonawanda/N. Tonawanda) and Nastassja Dasque (Brooklyn/A. Philip Randolph) each played a half and combined to make 9 saves. On Saturday Buffalo State played at Oneonta and lost 7-0, while being out-shot 31-1.

Buffalo State's record is now 3-8 overall, and 1-4 in SUNYAC play.

Who's Next?

The Bengals will play three games this week, on the road Tuesday at Roberts Wesleyan College, and two at home against Potsdam on Friday, and Plattsburgh on Saturday.

TENNIS - (1-9) Bengals Fall in a Pair of Matches

Buffalo State hosted a pair of matches this past weekend, falling to Cortland and Wells.

On Saturday, Cortland defeated Buffalo State 9-0. Sasha Vanderlinde (Skaneateles/Skaneateles) was the only Buffalo State player to take a set in singles, as she went up 6-3, before dropping the next two sets 5-7 and 2-6.

The Bengals hosted Wells College on Sunday, and dropped a 7-2 decision. The first doubles team of Amanda Coats (Tonawanda/Kenmore East) and Molly Macpherson (Clarence/Clarence) claimed an 8-4 victory, and Vanderlinde and Heather Dickerson (Alma/Wellsville) won their third doubles match by an 8-3 score. For the second straight match, Vanderlinde was the lone Bengal to win a set at singles, as she was edged 5-7, 6-3 and 3-6 at fourth singles.

Buffalo State is now 1-9 on the season.

Who's Next?

Buffalo State will wrap up its regular season on Tuesday when it hosts St. John Fisher, and then will compete at the SUNYAC Championships at the Eastside Racquet Club in Syracuse on Friday and Saturday.

CROSS COUNTRY - Men and Women Compete at Geneseo

Buffalo State competed Saturday at Geneseo Invitational.

The men finished ninth out of 15 teams with 220 points. For the third time this season, AJ Walsh (Hamburg/Frontier) was the top finisher for the Bengals with a time of 26:36, which was good for 16th place overall. Junior Matt Kubiak (lakeview/Frontier) finished in 40th place, completing the course in 27:34, and in 52nd place with a time of 27:58 was freshman Chris Swift (Bethford/Frontier).

The women finished sixth out of 15 teams with 154 points. Freshman Tammy Putt (Allegany/Allegany) was the Bengals top finisher, placing 21st with a time of 24:29. Tiffany Knarr (East Aurora/Iroquois) and Aleksandra Halin (Clarence/Clarence) finished 25th and 26th respectively with time of 24:38 and 24:41.

Who's Next?

On Saturday Buffalo State will run at the Hamilton Invite.

FOOTBALL (0-5) - Buffalo State Falters at Brockport

Buffalo State?s struggles continued on Saturday, as the Bengals were defeated by Brockport (4-1) ,38-0, before a crowd of 2,677 at Special Olympics Stadium. The shutout was the second in as many weeks for Buffalo State, and was the first time the Bengals were held scoreless in back-to-back games since 1983.

Brockport dominated the Bengals in nearly every facet of the game, as Buffalo State did not register a single first down, compared to the Golden Eagles? 26, and Brockport?s offense gained 505 total yards of offense versus the Bengals? 16. Despite the lopsided play, Buffalo State found itself trailing just 14-0 at halftime, but Brockport?s dominance continued in the second half as the Golden Eagles ran away with the victory.

One of the lone bright spots for the Bengals was a 46-yard kick return by Curtis Hathcock (Buffalo/Bennett). Hathcock totaled 117 yards on five attempts as he surpassed the Bengals? school record for kick return yards in a season with 562 on 25 returns. The old record was 489 by Lamont Rhim, set in 1994.

Nick Warren (Cheektowaga/West Seneca East) and Tyree Parker (Buffalo/Burgard) played well for Buffalo State on the defensive side of the ball. Warren registered 13 tackles, including eight solo stops, three for a loss, and one quarterback sack. Parker also had 13 stops, and also intercepted his second pass of the season. Mike Haynes (Buffalo/Cleveland Hill) recovered a pair of fumbles and was credited with a forced fumble and a pass break-up, and Shaun Zelasko (Hamburg/Hamburg) recorded a blocked field goal.

The loss was the Bengals? 13th straight, as the team matched its worst start to a season at 0-5. Buffalo State opened 0-5 in 1987 and 1989.

Who?s Next?

The road does not get any easier for the Bengals, as they will host Rowan, the No. 3 team in the nation, Saturday at Coyer Field at 1 p.m.