Buffalo, N.Y. - The Canisius College women's soccer team captured its first victory of the season, defeating Bucknell, 1-0, in the Griffs' home opener at the Demske Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon. After a scoreless first half, junior Brooke Bandazian managed to find the back of the net in the 80th minute to seal the Griffs' first victory of the 2011 season.
In the 80th minute, Bandazian broke the scoreless contest with her first goal of the season to give Canisius (1-2-0, 0-0-0 MAAC) a 1-0 lead and eventual victory. On a Griffs' offensive charge from their own end, Reinwald sent a through ball across midfield into open space along the left side. With a Bucknell (0-3-0, 0-0-0 Patriot) defender unable to control the ball, Bandazian and the defender raced towards the loose ball and won the one-on-one battle. With the Bucknell defender on her hip, Bandazian ripped a left-footed shot from 15 yards out past .
"It was a great left-footed shot. I thought she played a solid game today. The kid is fast and the kid is strong. I need her to keep shooting and I believe she has the ability to keep scoring like that," said head coach Jim Wendling.
In the second half, senior goalkeeper Caroline Robert made multiple saves to keep the reigning Patriot League Champions off the scoresheet. With under eight minutes remaining, Robert stopped a pair of Bison shots, including a point-blank shot from 10 yards out in front of the net.
Despite being outshot 8-1 in the first half, the Griffs had a pair of chances in the first half. With under seven minutes remaining, senior Kelly Reinwald fed a pass to sophomore Brianna Smith that was just a touch too far ahead.
The second came with four minutes remaining as the Griffs neutralized a pair of Bucknell corner kicks. On the final attempt, the Griffs' defense cleared the ball to Reinwald, who was surrounded by a pair of Bison defenders at midfield. Reinwald split the defenders and led the Griffs' rush with Smith following. The Bison managed to retreat into their zone and grabbed control of the ball.
"Getting the first win, always feels fantastic. I wish it would have come sooner but it is definitely a confidence builder for the team. Bucknell won their conference last year so it was a great win," stated Wendling.
In the contest, the Bison held a 22-6 shot advantage over the Golden Griffins. Both Megan Degennaro and Liz Dwornik recorded six shots each for the Bison.
Robert recorded eight saves in the Griffs' win. Today's performance marked her third career shutout, including her second career shutout in home openers. In the 2008 home opener, Robert and the Golden Griffins shutout New Jersey Institute of Technology, 1-0, on August 30.
The Griffs continue their three-game homestand on Friday, September 2 at the Demske Sports Complex as they host Quinnipiac with the time set for 7:00 p.m.
NOTES: Today's contest marked the first meeting between the Griffs and Bison in program history... In addition to the first win of the season, today's victory was the 200th win in program history... Bandazian's goal was the fourth of her career.
