BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Three first-half goals by Buffalo State proved to be enough -- barely -- as the Bengals held on for a 3-2 victory over the visiting Fredonia State Blue Devils in college men's soccer.

With the Devils down 3-0, Matt Cullen scored goals in the 68th and 71st minutes to pull Fredonia within a goal and give the Devils new life. However, they would not muster another offensive attack after that.

The Bengals Abdi Salim scored the game's first goal, with an assist from Theo Pencic, just under three minutes into the game. Pencic would go on to score the Bengals next two goals.

Fredonia goaltender Ty Bentham made five saves and gave up three goals. Buff State's Andreas Queen made one save, and allowed both Fredonia scores. 

Fredonia had three shots on goal, the scores by Cullen, and one by Jackson Retzer, who also collected an assist on the game's final goal. Chad Gilson had the other assist for Fredonia. Buff State outshot Fredonia, 12-4, including 9-3 in shots on goal.

With the victory, Buff State improves to 5-2 in the conference and 12-2 overall, while picking up two points in the Battle by the Lake standings.

The Devils drop to 1-4-2 in the SUNYAC and 5-7-4 overall. They play host to Oswego and Cortland next weekend.