CLAREMONT, Calif.— Buffalo State (1-5) turned in its finest defensive performance of the season, but could not produce enough at the other end of the field to overcome host Pomona-Pitzer (7-3) in a 6-5 loss on Tuesday evening in California.
 
Colleen George (Johnson City/Maine-Endwell) made nine saves to give the Bengals a chance for victory, while Sarah Lorusso (Lakeview/Frontier) led the offense, scoring twice.  Alanna Herne (Tonawanda/Tonawanda) had a goal and two assists, and Meghan Farrell (Endicott/Union-Endicott) and Kendra Thomas (Painted Post/Corning West) added a goal apiece.
 
The teams combined for just three goals in a tightly marked first half, with the Sagehens claiming a 2-1 lead at the intermission.  Pomona-Pitzer never relinquished the lead in the second half, scoring first and pushing the lead to 6-3 with 12 minutes remaining.  The Bengals cut the deficit to one when Lorusso scored with 3:22 left, but were unable to attempt a shot the rest of the way.
 
Pomona-Pitzer maintained an 8-4 edge in draw controls and a 22-16 advantage in shots.  Buffalo State had 23 ground balls, compared to 18 by the Sagehens, but the Bengals committed 21 turnovers while Pomona-Pitzer had just 13.
 
Buffalo State will next open SUNYAC play at Potsdam on Saturday at 11 a.m.