POTSDAM, N.Y.--- Two goals during the third period propelled the Buffalo State Bengals (2-1-1, 1-1 NEWHL) past the SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (2-2, 1-1) 3-1 on Saturday afternoon. Senior forward Emma Ruggiero (Amherst, N.Y./Buffalo Regals) scored twice for the Bengals and junior defenseman Cheyenne Matson (Wasilla, Alaska/Alaska All-Stars U19) added a power-play goal. Freshman forward Stephanie Dunlap (Bath, Mich./Meijer U19 AAA) had a goal for the Bears and sophomore goalie Samantha White (Oceanside, Calif./Anaheim Lady Ducks) made 22 saves.

Buffalo State opened up the scoring early with a goal by Ruggiero. After freshman forward Gianna Brigante (Mahopac, N.Y./Brewster Lady Bulldogs) was stuffed by White, Ruggiero got the rebound in the slot and wristed the puck into the top of the net for a 1-0 lead at 2:59. The Bears responded quickly in similar fashion. Junior forward Miranda Kolb (Watertown, N.Y./SUNY Cortland) picked up her own rebound fired another shot. The puck rolled up and over Bengals sophomore goalie Bri Gawronski (Dunkirk, N.Y./Buffalo Bison) and into the crease where Dunlap (Bath, Mich./Mijer U19 AAA) knocked it home to even the score at 4:55. It was still 1-1 after 20 minutes.

Potsdam was unable to capitalize on three power-play opportunities in the second period. The shots in the middle stanza were even at nine apiece and the score remained the same through two periods.

The physical third period was filled with penalties, but the Bengals ended the scoring drought with an even-strength marker at 10:22. Ruggiero took the puck the length of the ice and worked her way in front of a Bears defenseman before slipping it between White's pads for the game-winner. Buffalo State extended its lead late in the period during a four-on-three power play. Potsdam tried to clear the zone off a faceoff with 3:02 left, but Matson stopped the puck at the left point and sent a high shot through a crowd into the top left corner of the net. White never saw the shot. The Bears pulled White for an extra attacker with 1:10 left in the game while on the power play, but couldn't get any closer.

Gawronski made 27 saves for the win. Potsdam outshot Buffalo State 28-25, but the Bengals were 1-for-4 on the power play to the Bears 0-for-6.

The Bears are back in action next Friday, when they head SUNY Cortland to face the Red Dragons at 7 p.m.