BUFFALO, N.Y. – The William Smith College ice hockey team was defeated by Buffalo State 5-2 in an ECAC West Contest in Buffalo this afternoon. The Bengals started fast, scoring three first period goals in the victory.
 
Buffalo State (9-4-1, 4-3-0) jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 2:20 of the first period. Christine Harris scored her first goal of the season on the Bengals first shot of the game. Erin Gehen and Emily DeCock were credited with assists on the goal. Four minutes later Natasha Steinle doubled the Bengals lead with her first goal of the game. Rachel Lenard found the back of the net on the power play to extend Buffalo State's lead to 3-0. The Bengals finished the period with an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal.
 
Lila Toczek fired home a shot at 15:40 of the second period to extend Buffalo State's advantage to four goals. Madeline Kromer and Cheyenne Matson were credited with the assists.
 
William Smith (4-8-2, 1-5-1) ended Justine Silva's shutout bid at 18:56 of the first period. First-year Kate Klimaszewski banked home a rebound for her second goal of the season. Sophomore Maura Mulligan and junior Krista Federow were credited with assists on the goal.
 
Steinle's second goal of the game at 8:47 of the third period extended Buffalo State's lead back to four goals. Lenard picked up an assist on the goal.
 
Federow closed out the scoring for William Smith at 16:05 of the third period. She collected a rebound and wristed it past Silva. Sophomore Stephanie Hampton and Klimaszewski recorded assists on the goal.  With just under two minutes remaining in the period, the Herons pulled their goalie in favor of the extra attacker. William Smith kept the puck deep in the attacking zone but could not find the back of the net. The Bengals blocked two shots and Silva robbed Lindsay Brown point blank.
 
First-year Devon Strachan started in goal for the Herons and made 23 stops in 58:04. At the opposite end of the rink, Silva made 20 saves in the winning effort.
 
William Smith did not convert on either of their power play opportunities, while Buffalo State went 1-for-4 with the extra skater.
 
The Herons and Bengals will be back in action tomorrow afternoon in Buffalo.  Faceoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.