Box Score UTICA, NY—Utica (4-2/3-2) took the opening game of the two-game set with Buffalo State (0-8/0-5) today, handing the visiting Bengals a 5-1 loss in an ECAC West game at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

The Pioneers jumped out to a 3-0 lead, including a pair of goals just 44 seconds apart in the opening minutes of the second period. Buffalo State cut the deficit to 3-1 with a power-play marker by Kara Goodwin (Avon Lake, OH/Avon Lake) with assists from Jeyna Minnick (Rochester, NY/Greece-Arcadia) and Morgan Haettich (Buffalo, NY/Mt. Mercy) later this the second period. Utica iced the game with a pair of third period goals, including an empty-netter.

Jordan Lee (Colorado Springs/Widefield) made 34 saves for Buffalo State as Utica finished with a commanding 39-9 advantage in shots. The Pioneers were 1 for 7 on the power play, and Buffalo State was 1 for 4.

Utica will host the Bengals again tomorrow at 3 p.m.