BUFFALO, NY – Sage Running Rabbit (Siksika, AB/Elite Southern Express) scored the game-winning goal with 30.6 seconds remaining in the third period to lift the Buffalo State women's hockey team to a 1-0 victory over Wilkes in the season opener on Friday afternoon at the Ice Arena.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 1, Wilkes – 0

LOCATION: Ice Arena – Buffalo, NY

RECORDS: Buffalo State (1-0), Wilkes (0-1)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Running Rabbit's goal was also the first goal of her collegiate career.
• Jessica Auge (Laingsburg, MI/Honeybaked Detroit) recorded the first shutout of her career, making 28 saves in goal.
• Emma Ramseier (Oak Creek, WI/Milwaukee Jr. Admirals) added the first point of her career on the primary assist.
• Lilli Adimey (Buffalo, NY/Buffalo Bisons) also nabbed an assist.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Buffalo State had two great opportunities in the opening period but the Bengals weren't able to capitalize.
• With four minutes left, the Wilkes goalie collided with a defenseman behind the net, but another defenseman was able to block Running Rabbit's shot before it reached the empty goal.
• In the final seconds of the period, Angelina Cruzal (Campbell, CA/San Jose Jr. Sharks) fed Vanessa Willick (Williamsville, NY/Buffalo Bisons) to create a breakaway, but Willick's shot was saved off the post by the goalie.
• Auge made a bunch of spectacular saves in the second period, as well as early in the third period to keep the game scoreless.
• With time running out, Adimey made a smart play to attack a loose puck in the neutral zone, and Ramseier was able to send a pass to Running Rabbit, who deked a defender and went five-hole on the goalie.

FOR THE FOES

• Addy Olsen made 32 saves to keep the Colonels in the game.

UP NEXT

The two sides will have a rematch tomorrow afternoon, with puck drop set for 2:00 pm at the Ice Arena.