BUFFALO, N.Y. – Hilbert College Women's Soccer team played an even opening 45 minutes this afternoon against Buffalo State, but a strong second half by the hosting Bengals handed the Hawks a 4-1 setback at Coyer Field.

Buffalo State pressured offensively in the game's opening stages, forcing Hilbert goalkeeper Keira McFarland to make five early stops, before the Bengals broke through in the 8th minute for a 1-0 advantage.

Hilbert settled in after the early goal and found its equalizer midway through the half. In the 24th minute, sophomore forward Ja'Lynn Sanders timed her run perfectly and slotted home a finish off a setup from Evin Stauffer, knotting the score at 1-1. The goal was Sanders' third of the young season.

McFarland continued to stand tall in goal during the opening frame, recording 10 first half saves to keep the game level heading into halftime.

The second half, however, began with an early breakthrough from the Bengals. Just 16 seconds after the restart, Olivia Kilmer put the Bengals back in front with an early strike to make it 2-1. Buffalo State continued to apply the pressure, adding goals from Makenzie Below in the 56th minute and Riley Stevenson in the 59th minute, the latter assisted by Emily Maczka, to close out the scoring at 4-1.

Both Sanders and Valentina Hauser fired shots on goal in the second half, but Buffalo State goalie Kellie Brewer denied each chance to keep the Hawks off the board after the Sanders' game-tying goal.

By the final whistle, the Bengals had outshot Hilbert 29-4, with McFarland making 15 total saves for her third double-digit save performance of the year.

UP NEXT:
The Hawks return home their next time out when Thiel College comes to Hawk Field for a 4 pm kickoff on Tuesday, September 16^th.