Men's Soccer 11/7/2007 5:00:00 AM Canisius College Athletics

Men's Soccer Posts 3-2 Win over Buffalo

Canisius sophomore forward Alan McGreal (pictured) was credited with an assist on the Golden Griffins' first goal and then ripped home the game-winner from 18-yards out in the 64th minute to help lift the men's soccer team to a 3-2 win over cross-town rival Buffalo Wednesday night at UB Stadium. The win improves Canisius to 7-11-0 overall this season, which ties the program record for wins in a season, while the Bulls slipped to 9-6-2 with the loss.

The Griffs held onto a 3-2 lead late in the contest and were able to fight off a strong offensive attack from Buffalo in the closing minutes of regulation time tp preserve the victory. The Bulls had a pair of late scoring chances to send the game into overtime, but both of Buffalo's shots bounced off the right post and the Griffs were able to hold on for the program's first over Buffalo since 2002.

"Tonight was a good game all around," Canisius head coach Jim Hesch said. "We were able to score when we had out chances, and I thought everyone that played tonight did a good job holding off their push at the end."

Senior forward Simba Aberdeen put the Blue and Gold on the scoreboard first with his fourth goal of the season off an assist from McGreal in the game's 14th minute. Canisius added to its lead 6:57 later when Pablo Lopez was able to beat Buffalo goalkeeper Daniel Bell for his second tally of the season. Lopez's scoring play started off a corner kick by teammate Eddie Powell, who sent the ball into the box, where sophomore Adam Studniarek jumped up and headed the ball to Lopez's feet before he fired the ball into the back of the net.

The Griffs held a two-goal lead for a little over 20 minutes, but Alex Marrello put the Bulls on the scoreboard with his fourth goal of the season in the 42nd minute. McGreal's 12th goal of the season got the Griffs' margin back to two goals, but UB cut that hold to 3-2 when Dan Bulley scored unassisted in the 72nd minute after he was able to beat Canisius starting goalkeeper Adam Catley. Catley played 71:37 in net and made nine stops before making way for freshman Matt Wopperer, who closed out the game's final 18:23 without having to make a save.

For the game, Buffalo out shot Canisius by a 22-7 count and held an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks. The Griffs' win in the final regular season game of the season sets the team up nicely before next week's MAAC Tournament, which will be held at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

"Playing a late season game against a good team like Buffalo wass a good way for us to get ready for the MAAC Tournament," Hesch said. "We played hard and some guys who didn't get to play a lot all year played hard when they got called into the game."

Canisius will return to action Nov. 15, against Iona in the quarterfinal round of the 2007 MAAC Tournament. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m.

Game Notes: The win over Buffalo improves Canisius to 8-24-4 all-time against the Bulls, with three of those wins coming while Jim Hesch has been the program's head coach... Alan McGreal's three point night gives him 32 points for the season, which ranks fourth all-time in school history for points in a single season... McGreal also moved up the school's all-time goals list, where he is now tied for seventh all-time with 18 career tallies... Senior Simba Aberdeen played in his 50th career game as a Griff Wednesday night... Adam Catley's nine saves gives him 98 stops in his rookie season.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Simba Aberdeen: F; 5' 8"; Senior

#1 Adam Catley: GK; 6' 3"; Freshman

#10 Pablo Lopez: F; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#7 Alan McGreal: M; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#3 Eddie Powell: D; 5' 11"; Junior

#5 Adam Studniarek: M; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#0 Matt Wopperer: GK; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#14 Simba Aberdeen
: 5' 8"; Senior
: F

#1 Adam Catley
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: GK

#10 Pablo Lopez
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: F

#7 Alan McGreal
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: M

#3 Eddie Powell
: 5' 11"; Junior
: D

#5 Adam Studniarek
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: M

#0 Matt Wopperer
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: GK