(BOX SCORE)

BUFFALO, NY— Brianna Murphy (Depew/Lancaster) assisted on both of Buffalo State's (1-2/0-1) goals, but the Bengals dropped their ECAC West regular season opener 3-2 against visiting Potsdam (1-1/1-1) tonight at the Ice Arena.

Potsdam opened the scoring on just its second shot of the game, but the Bengals evened the score at 1-1 midway through the opening period on a power-play deflection by Christine Williams (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) off a shot from Murphy.  Lauren Mallo (Maple Ridge, BC/Thomas Haney) also added an assist.  The Bears reclaimed the lead in the final minute of the opening period and then extended the advantage to 3-1 with the lone goal of the second stanza.

After directing just four shots on goal in the second period, Buffalo State battled back in the third, closing the gap to 3-2 with another power-play goal with 4:18 remaining.  Rio Flynn (Happy Valley, OR/Appleby College) slammed home a rebound with assists from Murphy and Courtney Carnes (Winslow, ME/Winslow).  The Bengals made a push down the stretch, but were unable to tally the equalizer. 

Buffalo State held a 25-23 edge in shots on goal, including a 12-7 advantage in the opening period.  Jordan Lee (Colorado Springs, CO/Widefield) made 20 stops in goal for the Bengals.

The Bengals and Bears will complete the season series tomorrow at the Ice Arena at 2 p.m.