Game Recap
Canisius freshman Gretta Dry scored a goal and added an assist and sophomore Emily Czechowski recorded her first goal of the season as the Golden Griffins went on the road and defeated long-time rival St. Bonaventure 2-1 Friday night in Olean, N.Y. The win moves Canisius to 2-3-0 on the season, while the Bonnies slipped to 0-2-1 in 2016.
After the two teams played a scoreless first half, Canisius got on the board first in the game's 56th minute when Dry posted her second marker of the season after she punched in a loose ball in the box. That scoring play was set-up by a free-kick opportunity for the Blue and Gold, with junior Maddie Good and junior Taylor Kugler earning the assists.
Canisius tacked on an insurance goal in the 65th minute on Czechowski's first goal of the season. Dry earned the assist on the team's second goal after she found Czechowksi with a pass inside the 10-yard box, and the Lancaster, New York native was able to beat St. Bonaventure goalkeeper Lauren Malcolm to the lower left side. The Bonnies cut the Griffs' lead in half in the 82nd minute on a Canisius own-goal, but Griffs' goalkeeper Alana Rossi was up to the task the rest of the way, recording three saves en route to her second-straight victory.
Coach Clark Postgame Comments
“I am very pleased with the way we played tonight. This was a game between two pretty evenly matched teams, but we were able to score two goals on straight effort plays. We scored those goals because our kids busted their humps to be in the right spot and they were able to cash in when the chances were presented.”
“I have a lot of respect for the St. Bonaventure program and for their head coach. I knew when we got up 2-0, they were going to really bring the pressure, and they did. Our defense was up to the task tonight. Our defense was firm across the field all night. I think we've grown up a lot in that regard, not just from last year, but even in the first few weeks of this season.”
“Now we have a week off to prepare for what will be another tough task at Buffalo. But for the rest of tonight, we'll enjoy this one because we really worked hard to get this road win.”
Game Notes
• This was the 35th all-time meeting between these two programs, with Canisius leading the series 18-15-2. • Including last week's 3-0 win over Robert Morris, Canisius has now scored multiple goals in back-to-back games for the first time since the 2014 season. • Kugler's assist on Dry's goal was her first of the season and the sixth in her career. • Maddie Good also earned her sixth career assist on Dry's goal. She has three assists this year and also had three assists her freshman year when she played at Stony Brook.
Up Next
Canisius will return to action Friday, Sept. 9, when the team plays at cross-town rival Buffalo. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
