A late goal from graduate student Alicia Zamora propelled Canisius to a 2-1 victory over Merrimack in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women's soccer action Saturday at Martone-Mejail Field.
in the league opener for both programs, the Golden Griffins improved to 2-1-1 overall and 1-0-0 in MAAC action. The Warriors, meanwhile, dropped to 2-4-1 overall and 0-1-0 in conference play.
Merrimack jumped to an early lead as Isabella Keogh beat Canisius senior goaltender Jordan Spencer low right off a pass from Jillian Golden just 1:41 into the contest.
The Griffs recorded 10 shots during the first half, but could not get the ball past Warriors goaltender Lily Morgan, allowing Merrimack to carry a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
The second half saw Canisius open the frame with a flurry of chances coming from Oliphant and senior Erin Weir. The Griffs eventually got on the scoreboard four minutes into the half when Madeline Weltin buried a rebound from an Oliphant shot, knoting the score at 1-1.
Canisius kept up the pressure, registering six more shots before breaking the deadlock at the 72:23 minute mark, when Zamora headed in a free kick from senior Sophia Konstantinou to put the Griffs in front, 2-1.
Zamora's go-ahead tally was all the support that Spencer needed, ending the afternoon with three saves as she did not face a shot on goal in the second half.
GAME NOTES
• Saturday's game marked the first contest between the Golden Griffins and Warriors. The contest also served as Merrimack's first league contest as a member of the MAAC
• Both Weltin and Zamora tallied their third goal of the season to remain tied for the team lead in that category
• The Griffs outshot the Warriors, 24-10, while having a 7-4 lead in shots on goal
• Canisius established a season high for shot attempts as it surpassed the 20-shot plateau for the second time this season
• Oliphant recorded eight shot attempts on Saturday, tying her career high, with three tries being on goal
• The Golden Griffins also led in the corner kick department by a margin of 7-2, with six coming in the second half.
UP NEXT
Canisius returns to action Wednesday as it completes its three-game road trip with a visit to Little Three rival St. Bonaventure. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at the Marra Athletics Field Complex in Olean, N.Y.
