AMHERST, NY - The Daemen Wildcats were in catch-up mode for most of the evening as the visiting Buffalo State Bengals, on the strength of three first half tallies, spoiled the Wildcats' home opener and, thus, the first home start for new Daemen head coach Mark Spacone.

"It was a spirited affair and we're certainly disappointed with the outcome," Spacone said afterwards. "Our effort was very good. Unfortunately, effort doesn't always cover up mistakes. At this level, when you make errors, teams are good enough to make you pay and that was the difference tonight."

Tony Schiappa put the Bengals ahead in the 11th minute on a beautiful goal. Evan Johnson's long lead pass up into the right side of the box was back-heeled by Andrew Dugan to the waiting Schiappa who converted the opportunity.

Anthony Appiani would make it 2-0 when he flicked in a failed Daemen clearing attempt in the 36th minute. Just two minutes later, Marikos Habtemichael put one another one into the Daemen net, this one a low driving shot inside the left post from 18 feet out, in what would eventually go down as the game-winner.

Sophomore midfielder Zakariah Hall (Wells, England/The Blue School) got Daemen on the board as he headed in a crossing feed from fellow sophomore Jared Contreras (Arcadia, CA/Arcadia High School) in the 42nd minute.

Sophomore forward Kyle Clifford (West Seneca, NY/St. Francis High School) would net his third marker of the season in the 65th minute after a long through pass from senior Nate Griffiths (South Wales, NY/Iroquois Central High School). Clifford's tally got Daemen back in the game and for a moment gave them hope of making an improbable comeback.

Those hopes were dashed later when the Bengals' Kirk Love stuck one into the far post from the right wing in the 84th minute to provide some breathing room.

The Wildcats return to action on Monday when they host Maine-Fort Kent at 12pm.