BUFFALO, NY - The Daemen Wildcats suffered their first setback of the season today, dropping a 3-2 decision on the road to the Buffalo State Bengals. The Bengals controlled the tempo of the game as evidenced by advantages in total shots (24-10), shots on goal (14-4) and corner kicks (8-0). Daemen drops to 1-1 on the season while Buffalo State improves to 1-0.

"We didn't play particularly well today," said third-year Daemen head coach Dan Dolan. "We couldn't control possession of the ball for most of the game. We finally started to connect a bit with 20 minutes left. Give Buff State credit; they played tough all game and put us under a lot of pressure."

Junior Kelsey O'Leary (Rochester, NY/Greece Olympia High School) got Daemen on the board early as she one-timed a crossing feed from senior Jenelle Masi (Greece, NY/Greece Athena High School) inside the left post in the 12th minute.

Buffalo State responded, however, with first half tallies off the foot of Melissa Mahoney. Mahoney connected on a break away thanks to the through pass of Katie Hennes in the 19th minute before adding her second goal, a one-touch off a rebound, just six minutes later; assisting on the second marker was Amanda Sauer.

Masi then evened things up in the 60th minute when sophomore reserve Briann VanScoter (Arkport, NY/Arkport Central High School) found the streaking senior with a through pass to set up a break away.

With the game tied at 2-2, Buffalo State remained in control and Jordan Dudish put home the eventual game-winner with a shot off the cross bar from the right wing. Tina Boberskyj was credited with an assist on the play.

Freshman keeper Kayla Hampton (DeRuyter, NY/DeRuyter High School) came up with 11 saves for Daemen. Her counterpart, Linda Banfield needed to make just two stops to get the win for the Bengals.

Little time remains for the Wildcats to lick their wounds as they return to action this weekend. Daemen will host their second annual Labor Day Classic as they take on Rio Grande (OH) in the team's home-opener on Saturday at 3pm before hosting Muskingum (OH) at 12pm on Sunday. Both games take place at Dimp Wagner Stadium behind Amherst High School.