HARRISVILLE, R.I.—Buffalo State defeated Plymouth State 2-1 today in the Puck Drop Classic hosted by Nichols College to open the season with back-to-back victories for the first time since 2005-06.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 2, Plymouth State - 1
LOCATION:  Levy Rink – Harrisville, R.I. (Nichols College Puck Drop Classic)
RECORDS:  Buffalo State (2-0), Plymouth State (0-2)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Buffalo State peppered the Plymouth goal with 16 shots in the first period and finally broke through with an unassisted tally by sophomore Caitie Horvatits (Elma, NY/Iroquois) with less than four minutes remaining in the opening frame.
• The Bengals struck quickly in the second period on freshman Emma Ruggiero's (Amherst, NY/Sacred Heart) first collegiate goal with assists by Hannah Desjarlais (Cold Lake, AB/Holy Rosary) and Alison Mish (Canastota, NY/Canastota) to push the lead to 2-0 which would hold to the second intermission.

• The Panthers finally got on the scoreboard with a power-play marker less than five minutes into the final frame, but Buffalo State would kill off two more penalties and hold on for the victory.
• The Bengals dominated shot totals for the second-consecutive day, outshooting Plymouth State, 42-17.
• Sophomore Justine Silva (Baldwin Park, CA/Arroyo) made 16 saves between the pipes for the win in her first action of the season.

 
FOR THE FOES

• Olivia Leon scored the lone goal for Plymouth with assists from Courtney Evans and Haley Branovan. 
• Emily Lindqvist finished with 40 saves in goal.

NOTEWORTHY

• Nikki Kirchberger (Buffalo/W. Seneca West) and Erin Gehen (W. Seneca/W. Seneca West) were named to the All-Tournament Team.

UP NEXT
Buffalo State will open ECAC West play at home next Friday against Potsdam at 7 p.m.