Sophomore Sam Zarka scored on a penalty kick, while sophomore Kareem Gray stopped one by Rider to lead the Canisius College men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory on Sunday afternoon at the Demske Sports Complex. The Griffs are now 3-3-0 in MAAC play, while the Broncs fall to 1-3-1 against conference foes.
After a scoreless first half, the pace of the game picked up in the second stanza. In the 58th minute, junior Sam Guibert got a shot past the Rider goalkeeper but a Broncs defender made a diving kick save to keep the game scoreless. Zarka then had an opportunity in the 59th minute, but the Rider goalie came up with a big stop.
In the 64th minute of play, Canisius was whistled for a foul in the box, giving Rider a penalty kick. Dan Friga kicked the ball but Gray dove to his right and made the stop, maintaining the 0-0 score.
The Griffs were then rewarded with a penalty kick of their own in the 88th minute of play. Zarka finished for his second goal of the season, scoring to his left, to give Canisius the 1-0 victory.
Canisius had a 19-13 advantage in shots on the afternoon, while Rider held the edge in corner kicks, 7-4. Gray finished with four saves to record his third shutout during the conference season, while Matt Perrella also posted four saves for the Broncs.
The Griffs continue MAAC play with a home contest against Niagara on Saturday. The senior day contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Demske Sports Complex.
Game Notes: Gray is the first Griff to record three shutouts in a season since Adam Catley in 2007 ... He is also the first Canisius goalie to record three shutouts in conference play since John Ford in 1996 ... All three of Zarka's career goals have been game-winners ... Alan McGreal was the last Griff to score on a penalty kick, connecting at Western Michigan on Sept. 25, 2009 ... Canisius has won three-straight games against Rider and seven of the last 10.
