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Canisius starters lineup before its match against UC Riverside
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Men's Soccer

Five Things to Know: Men's Soccer to Host Nationally-Ranked Bowling Green

Game No. 7
No. 17/24 Bowling Green (6-1-0) at Canisius (0-4-2)
Date: Friday, Sept. 24
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Buffalo, N.Y. | Demske Sports Complex
Broadcast: ESPN+
Live Stats: Via GoGriffs.com
Twitter: @GriffsSoccer | #Griffs | #MAACSoccer
 
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
 
1. Setting the Pitch
For the first time in nearly 13 years, the Canisius men's soccer team will host a ranked opponent.
 
The Griffs welcome No. 17/24 Bowling Green to the Demske Sports Complex, marking the midpoint of the team's three-game homestand. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.
 
Friday's match serves as the Blue and Gold's last non-conference match before turning its focus to MAAC play.
 
2. Playing Ranked Opposition
Bowling Green enters Friday's contest ranked 17th in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and 24th in the College Soccer News poll.
 
Canisius last played a ranked opponent on Aug. 31, 2018, when the Griffs lost 3-2 at No. 5 Michigan State.
 
The Griffs have not hosted a ranked opponent since Oct. 12, 2008, when it entertained Loyola (Md.) in conference play. Canisius has not defeated a ranked opponent since beating No. 24 Fairfield, 1-0, in overtime on Oct. 27, 2006.
 
3. Last Time Out
Patrick Heron and Elie Lubino scored Saint Francis' goals in the second half as the Red Flash defeated Canisius, 2-1, last Sunday.
 
Alessio Atzori opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, netting his second goal of the season after Federico Mereto drew a foul inside the 18-yard box.
 
Atzori's right-footed penalty kick went into the bottom right corner of the net, going in the opposite direction of Saint Francis' goalkeeper.
 
Saint Francis tied the game in the 64th minute as Heron deposited a feed from Jeff Thielman behind Canisius goalkeeper William Howard from the middle of the box.
 
Seven minutes later, Lubino received a pass from Dallan Schoenberger in transition, beating Howard with a shot inside the left post to give the Red Flash the lead.
 
4. Home, Sweet Home
Canisius is currently amid a three-game homestand, which is the program's longest streak of regular season home games since hosting Buffalo (Aug. 28), Incarnate Word (Sept. 2) and Stony Brook (Sept. 4) in 2016.
 
Since then, the Griffs have had two other three-game homestands, but both included postseason play or overlapped seasons.
 
5. Making Saves
Canisius is tied for the MAAC lead with Siena (6.00) and is tied fifth nationally in saves per game. Harvard paces the nation (7.80) with VCU (7.43), Howard (7.00) and Sacred Heart (6.14) trailing the Crimson.
 
William Howard leads the MAAC and ranks ninth nationally in individual saves per game (6.25). Cal St. Fullerton's Andrea Bonavia has the lead with a 7.00 saves per game average. Siena's Greg Monroe is second in the MAAC with an average of 5.57.
 
For complete coverage of Canisius men's soccer, please follow @GriffsSoccer on Instagram and Twitter.
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Players Mentioned

Alessio Atzori

#5 Alessio Atzori

D
5' 11"
Redshirt Senior
Federico Mereto

#11 Federico Mereto

F
6' 4"
Junior
William Howard

#0 William Howard

GK
6' 5"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Alessio Atzori

#5 Alessio Atzori

5' 11"
Redshirt Senior
D
Federico Mereto

#11 Federico Mereto

6' 4"
Junior
F
William Howard

#0 William Howard

6' 5"
Graduate Student
GK