The Buffalo State women’s hockey team is still searching for its first win of the season after getting shut out in a road doubleheader against Plattsburgh over the weekend.

The Bengals played the first game on Saturday afternoon looking to tally a win in their third conference matchup of the season.

Plattsburgh, the No. 1 team in the country according to D3Hockey.com, took control of the game early on, scoring twice in the first period. Both goals were courtesy of forward Jenny Kistner.

Despite trailing after one, Buffalo State goaltender Jordan Lee played well in net, making 21 saves in the opening frame.

The Cardinals added to their lead by scoring three more goals in the second period, including a power-play goal by Shannon Stewart. Kistner added a goal for the hat trick early the third, and the Cardinals managed to put another past Lee as they blanked the Bengals 7-0.

Lee stopped 53 of 60 Plattsburgh shots. The Bengals managed only 13 shots of their own.

The Bengals had a rematch with the Cardinals on Sunday.

Buffalo State surrendered three power-play goals, and one shorthanded goal in what was an 8-0 rout in favor of Plattsburgh.

Lee made the start again for Buffalo State, and managed to make 34 saves on 40 shots before being replaced by Sarah Quigley in the third period. Quigley made 13 saves and allowed two goals. The Cardinals got a hat trick from Mel Ames to lead the team.

A short bench has caused problems for the Bengals in this young season, and they are being worn down by teams with more players. With a roster size of only 14, players are forced to skate longer, giving them a disadvantage.

The Bengals have also been outshot in every game, surrendering a total of 267 on the season, while only taking 71.

Despite being 0-4 in the ECAC West and 0-5 overall, the Bengals remain optimistic and still hope to grow as a team and improve. Although they lost both games this weekend, they had a tough matchup in Plattsburgh, which is undefeated this year.

Defensemen Dakota Broderick thought the Bengals handled the games well, even though they played the nation’s best team.

“Being down two girls we did the best we could, and we lost a third girl due to a game misconduct,” Broderick said. “They are best on the power play and scored on almost every one, but I still think we did pretty good against them.”

Goaltender Sarah Quigley also believes that the Bengals can improve and play well against their opponents this season.

“To be successful we need to play a full 60-minute game,” Quigley said. “We have to be quick to the puck, and stay strong on their sticks.”

Coach Candice Moxley has liked the way the Bengals have played so far this season, but still sees room for improvement.

“There is still more work to do on the ice,” Moxley said. ” Buttoning down in our defensive zone and paying the price to block shots then working harder for our opportunities at the net front and finishing.”

The Bengals next play a pair against SUNY Canton, as they hit the road for games on Friday and Saturday.

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