Women's Soccer Drops Rider, 2-0

The Canisius College women's soccer team evened its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference record at 3-3 with a 2-0 win over Rider University Sunday afternoon at the Demske Sports Complex. Canisius' Sylvia Kowalski (right) and Jessica Leemans tallied goals in the win for the Blue and Gold, while sophomore goalkeeper Daniella Pettinari earned her third shutout victory of the season in net.

Canisius (6-8-1, 3-3-0 MAAC) got on the scoreboard first in the game's 35th minute when Kowalski settled a bouncing ball in the box and fired a shot into the upper left corner of the net past Rider keeper Alex Post. Kowalski's tally was unassisted and stands as her fifth goal of the season, which ranks second on the team. The Griffs put the game away for good at the 85 minute mark of regulation time after Leemans took a pass from teammate Amanda Janosky in the middle of the box and hit one home into the upper right corner for her first collegiate goal. The assist for Janosky was her third of the season to give her 23 points, which leads the squad.

Pettinari made two stops in net for the Griffs for the shutout win, her third shutout in the team's last seven games. Post made two saves in the losing effort for Rider, which has dropped four-straight league games, dating back to Oct. 7.

The Griffs out shot the Broncs (6-7-3, 1-4-0 MAAC) by a 13-6 count, with seven of those shots coming in the first half. Canisius had a chance to get on the scoreboard first in the game's 34th minute when the Blue and Gold was awarded a penalty shot after Rider was whistled for a foul in the box. The game remained scoreless however after Canisius' shot sailed just past the right post.

Canisius will close out its three-game homestand Saturday, Oct. 27, when the team plays host to long-time rival Niagara at 1 p.m. Before the game, the women's soccer program will take time to honor seniors Amanda Janosky, Stephanie Karst and Lisa Nicholas, who will be making their final home starts in Blue and Gold.

Game Notes: This marks the first time since 1994 that Canisius has been .500 or better in league play this late in the season... Canisius is now 4-6-1 all-time against Rider, with wins coming in two of the last four meetings between the two schools... Sylvia Kowalski's goal on Sunday was the eighth of her career... With her first collegiate goal Sunday, Jessica Leemans becomes the fifth Griff to score a goal this season... Daniella Pettinari's shut out makes her the 11th Canisius goalkeeper in school history to have three or more shutouts in the same season.

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Players Mentioned

#19 Amanda Janosky: F/M; 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior

#5 Stephanie Karst: F; 5' 4"; Senior

#11 Sylvia Kowalski: M/F; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#12 Jessica Leemans: B/M; 5' 4"; Freshman

#15 Lisa Nicholas: B; 5' 3"; Senior

#0 Daniella Pettinari: GK; 5' 4"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#19 Amanda Janosky
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior
: F/M

#5 Stephanie Karst
: 5' 4"; Senior
: F

#11 Sylvia Kowalski
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: M/F

#12 Jessica Leemans
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: B/M

#15 Lisa Nicholas
: 5' 3"; Senior
: B

#0 Daniella Pettinari
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: GK