The Geneseo Ice Knights grabbed three of four possible points on Oct. 26 and Oct. 27 to open SUNYAC play, skating to an 8-1 win over SUNY Fredonia on Friday and declaring a 4-4 tie at Buffalo State College on Saturday.
After managing just four goals on 88 shots the prior weekend, the Geneseo offense came to life against the Fredonia Blue Devils, burying a season-high eight goals – five of which came in the third period.
Senior Corbin Rosmarin played a key role in the team’s win, notching his team-leading third and fourth goals of the season. Seniors Blake O’Connor and Colin de Jersey, as well as first-year Tyler Brickler tallied one goal each. Sophomore Jack Caradonna and first-year Alex Lubczuk scored their first career goals while sophomore Zach Martin capped off the scoring with his first of the year.
Starring in the win was junior Rich Manley, who maintained a physical presence throughout and set up four of Geneseo’s goals.
“This was probably the best game I’ve seen from [Manley] since his [first] year,” said head coach Chris Schultz.
Saturday night the Knights met Buffalo State. The Bengals were coming off a surprising 4-2 loss to SUNY Brockport a week after topping Division I Pennsylvania State University, 3-0. The Bengals responded to their Friday night falter by jumping to a two-goal first-period lead with goals from senior Trevor McKinney and junior Mac Balson.
Geneseo came out lukewarm in power plays in its first three games. Against the Bengals, it was the power play that pushed the Knights back into the game.
Senior Ryan Bulach and first-year Nate Brown scored five minutes apart with the man advantage to tie the game headed into the second period. After two goals by Buffalo State junior Mike Zannella, the Bengals led 4-3. Bulach scored on another power play at 3:44 in the third period to tie the game again. The Knights were 3-5 with the man advantage.
Senior Adrian Rubeniuk protected the net in both games, tallying 52 saves on the weekend.
The Knights host SUNY Cortland on Nov. 2 and SUNY Oswego on Nov. 3.