BUFFALO, NY—Buffalo State (4-9-1/1-4-1) assembled a complete team effort for 90 minutes and was rewarded with its first SUNYAC victory of the season, blanking visiting Potsdam (7-7-1/2-4), 2-0, today at Coyer Field.
 
The Bengals opened the scoring in the 29th minute, capitalizing on yellow card that resulted in a long free kick.  Francesco Cardillo (Tonawanda/St. Thomas Aquinas (ON)) sent a ball into the box from 45 yards out on the right wing, and Alex Cassells (New Malden, England) slipped in front of the keeper and redirected it to the back of the net.  Cardillo nearly pushed the score to 2-0 just minutes later, sending a one-timer off a corner kick just wide of the right post.  The Bengals produced two more scoring chances in the closing minutes of the half, but had to settle for the 1-0 advantage heading into the intermission.
 
Joe Vucic (East Aurora/East Aurora) had a chance to add an insurance marker in the opening minutes of the second stanza when he drew a penalty kick after being fouled from behind in the box.  Nick Davies made a diving save to thwart Vucic and then Cardillo sent the rebound over the cross bar. 
 
Buffalo State goalkeeper Hunter Hein (E. Amherst/Clarence) got into the act, making a point blank stop on Ben Firlit in the 65th minute.  Potsdam appeared to even the score in the 78th minute, but the goal was disallowed as the Bears were offsides.  Eduardo Figueroa nearly evened the score again for Potsdam in the 84th minute when he had a mini-break down the right side and slid an attempt just inches wide of the far post. 
 
Buffalo State would finally add separation just over a minute later, when Vucic dribbled down to the goal line and sent a cross that was headed home by Keegan Lezama (Milton, ON/Bishop Reding).
 
Hein finished with five saves to preserve the shutout victory for the Bengals.  Shots for the game finished at 16-16.
 
Buffalo State will conclude its home slate tomorrow when it hosts Plattsburgh at 1 p.m.