Behind a solid defensive effort and the play of junior Alan McGreal, the Canisius men's soccer team won its first game of the 2008 season, defeating Detroit, 3-1, at the UB Fall Classic.
“The first two games of the season, we had a tough time defending,” said Canisius head coach Jim Hesch. “We did a better job of that today and that was the difference between winning and losing.”
McGreal led the Griffs' attack, matching a career high with five points on a pair of goals and an assist. Sophomore Hector Rodriguez tallied his first collegiate goal, the game-winning score, while senior Brian Patterson added an assist.
McGreal opened the scoring with his first tally of the season in the game's 24th minute. Patterson found the junior in the box and McGreal scored from 15 yards out to give Canisius (1-2-0) the early lead. McGreal would help the Griffs extend their advantage with just five minutes remaining in the first half, finding Rodriguez on a crossing pass. Rodriguez then -headed the ball down and past the goalie as Canisius headed into intermission with a 2-0 lead.
Detroit (0-3-0) would cut the Canisius lead to one, scoring 10 minutes into the second stanza. Canisius goalkeeper Adam Miller, Griffs defender Mike Globits and Detroit forward Sam Seppo would collide chasing down a loose ball. Seppo would be the only one left standing after the collision and lifted the ball for the score. Both Miller and Globits would be forced to leave the contest.
The Canisius defense would step up after Detroit cut the lead to one, not allowing another shot on goal. McGreal sealed the Griffs' first victory of the season, scoring an unassisted tally with 1:23 left in the game. The Dublin, Ireland native made a couple of moves to beat a defender and then fired the ball in from 10 yards out as the Griffs won, 3-1.
Miller made two saves in goal before leaving the contest, earning his first collegiate victory. Detroit's Bryan Kloss recorded five saves in the defeat.
The Griffs continue play at the UB Fall Classic on Sunday, squaring off with Wright State. Game time is set for noon.
Game Notes: The Griffs won for only the second time in eight meetings with Detroit ... Canisius' other victory against the Titans also came during the UB Fall Classic in 2006 ... McGreal posted five points for the third time in his career ... The junior moved into sole possession of sixth place in the school record book with 56 career points, breaking a tie with Brad Kenny, who recorded 51 points from 1998 to 2001 ... He also moved into a tie for fifth all-time with 16 career assists and sixth with 20 career goals.
