Box Score MEADVILLE, Pa. - Emily Byers' goal off of an indirect kick in the closing minutes of the first half proved to be the difference, as Allegheny topped visiting Buffalo State 1-0 in a defensive battle at the Robertson Athletic Complex.

The two teams combined for just 12 shots on the afternoon, with the Gator defense posting its second shutout in three home contests on the year to improve its record to a perfect 3-0 at the friendly confines of the Robertson Athletic Complex in 2013.  With the win, Allegheny moves to 3-4-1 on the year, while Buffalo State drops to 3-2-1.

After posting just one shot over the first 40 minutes of action, the Gator offense put together its first sustained possession with just over four minutes left in the opening stanza, and cashed in on a Buffalo State miscue to score the game's only goal.  The Gators sent a cross attempt into the box, deflecting off of the Bengal keeper and to a defender.  A Buffalo State foul set up a Gator indirect kick less than 20 yards from the goal.

The Gators' Alison Buzzard set up to take the kick, and tapped it back to Byers, who rocketed a one-timer around the edge of the Buffalo State wall and into the net to give Allegheny a 1-0 lead with 3:17 left in the first half.

While the first half was tightly played, the game opened up in the second stanza, but neither team would concede another goal, despite each team receiving a number of scoring chances over the final 45 minutes.  Gator goalie Kylie Mason made a pair of saves within the first four minutes of the second half, before the Gators looked to take control with a number of long possessions over the middle stages of the frame.  The hosts couldn't take advantage of a trio of corner kicks in a nine-minute span, before Bengal keeper Sarah Herzberg kept the deficit at one after stopping Hannah Zangara on a blast from 15 yards out with just under 13 minutes left to play.

Buffalo State put forth a last-ditch effort to tie the game in the final three minutes, but Mason made a pair of saves, including one from close range with six seconds left on the clock, to preserve the shutout.

For the game, Buffalo State held a slim 7-5 advantage in shots, while the Gators owned a 3-0 edge in corner kicks, with all three coming in the second half.   Gabby Curtis started in goal for Allegheny, and didn't face a shot, before Mason came on in relief after the intermission and made five saves.  Buffalo State also utilized a pair of goalies, with Linda Banfield playing the first 75 minutes and making one save, before giving way to Herzberg for the final 15 mintues.

With the win, the Gators improve to 20-5-5 at home dating back to the 2009 campaign, while it moved Allegheny's record to 12-5-1 in its all-time series with the Bengals.

Allegheny will now have a week-long layoff before returning to action on Wednesday, Sept. 25, when the Gators travel to Pitt-Bradford for a 4:00 p.m. non-conference match.