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Canisius University Athletics

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Riley Wagner heads a ball during game action vs. UC Riverside
Lindy Feider
2
Winner UC Riverside UCR (2-0-0, 0-0-0)
1
Canisius CAN (0-1-1, 0-0-0)
Winner
UC Riverside UCR
(2-0-0, 0-0-0)
2
Final
1
Canisius CAN
(0-1-1, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
UC Riverside UCR 0 1 1 2
Canisius CAN 0 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Men’s Soccer Falls in Overtime to UC Riverside

UC Riverside's Andrew Alexander netted the golden goal in the 99th minute to lift the Highlanders past Canisius, 2-1, in non-conference men's soccer action at a muggy Demske Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon.
 
Riley Wagner scored the lone Golden Griffins' goal late in the second half, depositing his first collegiate goal behind UC Riverside goalkeeper Carlos Gonzalez in the 85th minute.
 
Despite neither team finding the back of the net in the first half, UC Riverside held Canisius at bay, limiting the Griffs to just three shot attempts, with only one reaching the goal. Alessandro Fabiano's shot on a set piece was shoved aside by Gonzalez in the 41st minute.
 
Alessio Atzori and Glorie Ndagano had the remaining two shot attempts in the opening half for the Blue and Gold.
 
Canisius generated more possession in the Highlanders' defensive third in the second half, but were still limited to four shot attempts. The only one reaching net was Wagner's game-tying tally.
 
UC Riverside's Issa Badawiya opened the scoring in the 65th minute off a feed from Brendan Clark, which split three Canisius defenders. Badawiya evaded a Canisius defender, sliding and kicking the ball to avoid the ball crossing the end-line.
 
Not quite 20 minutes later, Fabiano set up Wagner's goal on a corner kick. Fabiano's ball curled inside the 8-yard box and the sophomore was able to head the ball past UC Riverside's diving goalkeeper.
 
Luke Szablewski had a prime opportunity to put Canisius ahead in the 89th minute, but his strike sailed just above the crossbar.
 
In the ninth minute of overtime, Alexander dribbled away from a pair of Canisius defenders on the right side and kicked a low ball inside the 18-yard box into the bottom right corner of the goal.
 
Head Coach Dermot McGrane's Postgame Comments
"We have to do better with the ball at our feet as we had way too many unforced errors and turnovers in the game today."

"I am pleased with the attitude the team is showing as we kept battling through the game and we were rewarded with a late equalizer. We still have a lot of work ahead of us to get ready for conference play, but I'm pleased with the progress we are making."
 
GAME NOTES
• Sunday's match was the first meeting between the Highlanders and the Griffs.
• Canisius' first two matches of the season have gone to overtime, marking the first time since 2012 that the program's first two matches have needed additional time.
• This is the first time the Griffs have played in back-to-back overtime games since tying in consecutive matches against Iona and Manhattan in 2017.
• The contest marked the seventh time Canisius played a California-based school, all of which have occurred during Dermot McGrane's tenure on Main Street.
 
UP NEXT
Canisius returns to the pitch on Friday when it will face Little Three rival St. Bonaventure. Kickoff between the Griffs and Bonnies is scheduled for 7 p.m. from the Marra Athletics Complex in Olean.
 
For more information on Canisius men's soccer, follow @GriffsSoccer on Instagram and Twitter.
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