BUFFALO, NY – Despite holding onto a 1-0 lead for the majority of the game, Buffalo State (1-1-2) suffered its first loss of the season, falling 2-1 to Case Western (3-1) in overtime on Wednesday evening at Coyer Field.

The Bengals came out ready to play, pushing it offensively from the opening whistle against a strong Spartan defense. Freshman Breanna Knight (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South) came up big for Buffalo State, scoring her first career goal on a penalty kick just six minutes into play. Knight got Spartan goalkeeper Abbey Smith moving left, but sent the ball sailing low to the right corner.

Case Western tried answering quickly with a strong shot just over a minute later, but freshman goalkeeper Jessica McCarey (Middletown, NY/Middletown) came up with a big save.

In the second half, Case Western came out much stronger than it had to start the game. The Bengals did a good job weathering the offensive push from Spartans.

Despite a few chances to score, the Bengals could not connect with the back of the net.

McCarey came up big for Buffalo State at 71:25, making a great save on a shot ripped from outside the box. However, just two minutes later the Spartans managed to tie things with a goal from Jessie Sabers. Sabers collected a great pass from Amy Lindberg right through the Bengal defense and sent a shot sailing to the far post.

Neither team managed to get near the goal in the final minutes of regulation.

Case Western wasted little time in overtime, firing off a shot just wide 30 seconds in and then securing the game winning goal 1:30 later. Sabers tallied her second goal of the game with a great move around the defense and another strong shot past McCarey.

The Spartans finished the game with a slight 11-8 advantage in shots, while the Bengals finished with a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Buffalo State returns to action at 1 p.m. on Saturday September, 13 for a matchup at Pitt-Bradford.