BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo State women's hockey team earned their first win of the season in dominant fashion, skating past King's College, 9–1, in their home opener.

GAME BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 9, King's College – 1
LOCATION: Ice Arena – Buffalo, NY
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 1-0-0 (0-0-0 SUNYAC), King's College: 0-1-0 (0-0-0 MAC)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Eight different Bengals found the back of the net in today's dominant performance, highlighted by Dakota Carlson (Perrysburg, OH/Biggby), who led the scoring charge with two goals and an assist for a three-point afternoon. Matching her output was Vanessa Willick (Williamsville, NY/Buffalo Bisons), who added a goal and two assists to cap off her own impressive three-point effort.
• Adding to the offensive depth, Sage Running Rabbit (Siksika, AB/Elite Southern Express) tallied a goal and an assist, while Keegan Scott (Beamsville, ON/Niagara Falls Rapids) mirrored the same stat line with a goal and an assist of her own.
• In net, Alexa Todd (Owen Sound, ON/Saugeen Maitland Lightning) earned the start and remained steady when called upon, turning aside three shots faced to preserve the win.
• The Bengals controlled every facet of the game, outshooting the Monarchs 52–4 and dominating the faceoff circle with 43 victories.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Kicking off their 2025–26 campaign at home, the Buffalo State Bengals looked to make an early statement as they hosted the King's College Monarchs.
• The Bengals came out firing in the opening period, attacking the front of the net and putting consistent pressure on the Monarchs' defense. Despite the early push, it was the Monarchs who struck first, capitalizing on a Bengals turnover in their own zone. The early goal served as a wake-up call for the Bengals, who responded in dominant fashion by rattling off five unanswered goals to take a commanding lead into the first intermission.
• In the second period, the Bengals continued their offensive onslaught, maintaining control in the Monarchs' defensive zone and forcing turnovers through relentless forechecking. Their persistence paid off midway through the frame with another goal, followed by two more before the horn to close out the period, stretching their lead to seven heading into the second intermission.
• With the game well in hand, the Bengals stayed composed in the third period, shutting down any attempt by the Monarchs to build momentum. The Bengals maintained strong puck possession and continued to apply pressure, adding a late tally to punctuate a dominant performance and secure their first victory of the new season.

FOR THE FOES

• Emma Heinrich scored the lone goal for the Monarchs, with Riley Kumrow adding the assist.
• In net, Will McPherson and Hayley Packer both saw action, with McPherson leading the Monarchs with 26 saves.

UP NEXT
The Bengals will look to carry this momentum into tomorrow's Halloween weekend finale, as they wrap up their two-game series with King's College at the Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 12:00 PM.