BUFFALO, N.Y. – Hilbert College Women's Soccer opened its 2026 season on Tuesday evening, dropping a 4-1 contest to Buffalo St. at Coyer Field.
The Hawks battled back to erase an early deficit in the first half behind a goal from
Ja'Lynn Sanders, but a trio of Bengal goals in the second half would be the difference.
Buff State struck first in the 10th minute and held onto the 1-0 advantage for much of the first half. After Hilbert goalkeeper
Keira McFarland made three stops following the Bengal opener, the Hawks answered late in the opening half as
Ja'Lynn Sanders found the back of the net in the 39th minute, leveling the score at 1-1 heading into halftime. Sanders fired a free kick over the head of the Buffalo State goalkeeper from well outside the 18-yard box to tally her first and the Hawks' first goal of 2026.
The Bengals regained the lead early in the second half, however, as the hosts recorded what would be the game-winning goal in the 53rd minute.
Buffalo State pulled away in the closing minutes, benefitting from an own goal in the 84th minute before adding another just 1:41 later to account for the 4-1 final score.
McFarland led the defensive effort of the Hawks, finishing with 12 saves while facing 34 shots and 16 shots on goal. Sanders led Hilbert offensively with three shots and the team's lone goal, while
Kendall Shetter and
Novalee Schlenker each put a shot on target in the second half.
UP NEXT:
The Hawks are back in action this weekend as the team travels to Morrisville for a pair of games in the Morrisville tournament, beginning with a Saturday matchup with SUNY Poly.
