Senior Alan McGreal moved atop the Canisius College men's soccer record book, scoring his first goal of the season and setting a program record with his 77th career point. The senior captain gave the Griffs the lead but Cornell scored a late goal to force a 1-1 draw in front of 1,206 fans at the Demske Sports Complex on Friday.
"It feels really good to get the record," McGreal said. "It feels better to just get it out of the way because it was playing on my mind. Now I have the record and I can concentrate on scoring more goals for the team."
McGreal broke a tie with Gianfranco Gallo for the most career points in school history. McGreal has tallied 26 goals and 25 assists during his career for 77 points, while Gallo posted 75 points from 1986 to 1989.
Sophomore Adam Miller stopped seven shots in goal to anchor the Canisius defense.
After a slow first half, the pace of the game picked up during the second stanza of play. McGreal nearly gave the Griffs the lead with 23 minutes remaining when the senior knocked the ball past the Cornell goalkeeper. However, a Big Red defender headed the ball out of the net just before it crossed the goal line.
Cornell responded by nearly finding a goal of its own. However, senior Mike Globits recorded a defensive save to keep the game scoreless.
McGreal finally gave the Griffs (0-3-1) the advantage in the 75th minute of play. Freshman Casper Rej-Kleczek found the senior open eight yards in front of the goal and McGreal then beat the Cornell goalie to give Canisius the lead.
The Big Red (1-1-1) tallied the equalizer with just 9:12 remaining in regulation. Miller stopped the initial Cornell shot but Matt Bouraee scored off the rebound to tie the game.
Both teams nearly finished the game in the extra sessions. Cornell's Brett Sumpio had the first chance but Miller came out of the goal to break up the play. McGreal then almost gave the Griffs the win but Cornell's Scott Brody made a diving save as the two schools played to the draw.
Cornell outshot the Griffs, 19-14, but Canisius held a 5-2 advantage in overtime shots. The Griffs also had a slight edge in corner kicks, 7-6
The Griffs return to action next Friday, playing at St. Bonaventure. Game time is set for 5 p.m.
Game Notes: McGreal also ranks third in school history with his 26 goals and third with his 25 assists ... He moves to within one goal behind Gallo for second in school history ... The meeting was the first between the two schools and the first for Canisius against an Ivy League school ... Canisius has averaged 1,115 fans during its first two home games this season.
