Canisius College forward Alan McGreal (pictured) scored two goals, highlighted by the game-winner 6:31 into overtime, to help lead the men's soccer team to a 2-1 win at Bowling Green Sunday afternoon in the final match of the 2007 Falcon Invitational. The overtime victory improves the Golden Griffins to 1-3-0 this season, while the Falcons slipped to 2-3-1 with the defeat.
McGreal set up his overtime winner by taking the ball in the midfield and booting a pass into the corner where it was played by teammate Simba Aberdeen. Aberdeen, unable to beat his defender one-on-one, hit a pass to a streaking McGreal, who fired a shot to the far side of the net past Bowling Green keeper Paul Shoemaker.
"It was a pretty even game throughout," Canisius head coach Jim Hesch said. "Bowling Green had a few good scoring chances in overtime, but we were able to battle through and Simba made a good pass to Alan, who was able to beat their keeper to the far side."
Canisius got on the board first in the contest's 68th minute when McGreal took a loose ball and raced toward the Bowling Green net. Shoemaker came out and tried to play the ball, but he fell down, and the sophomore from Dublin, Ireland, was able to get a shot into the open goal. Bowling Green's Abiola Sandy forced the contest into overtime with his second goal of the year coming at the 76:00 mark of regulation time.
Freshman Adam Catley earned his first collegiate win in the net for the Griffs after he made seven saves, while Shoemaker made five stops for the Falcons. Bowling Green outshot the Griffs by a 21-11 count, but only eight of the Falcons' 21 shots were on goal. Bowling Green also held an 11-1 advantage in corner kicks, with two coming in the overtime period.
"Adam wasn't really tested all that much in regulation, but he definately made some big saves when he needed him," Hesch said of his goalkeeper's play.
The Griffs earned a second-place finish in the four-team Falcon Invitational. McGreal, Aberdeen and Catley were all named to the all-tournament squad for their play during the pair of games on the weekend.
Canisius will return to action Sept. 21, at Western Michigan. Game time is set for 2 p.m.
Game Notes: Two of Canisius' first four games this year have gone to overtime... The Golden Griffins improved to 1-0-1 all-time against Bowling Green with the victory on Sunday... Sunday's game was the first multi-goal contest for Alan McGreal... Simba Aberdeen's assist on the game-winning tally gives him eight in his career.
