BUFFALO — The host Canisius Golden Griffins scored two goals in a span of 1:27 in the first half en route to a 2-1 victory over Saint Peter’s Wednesday afternoon at the Demske Sports Complex. The win, which snapped Canisius’ three-game losing skid, improved the team to 6-7-1 overall and 2-3-1 in MAAC play, while the Peacocks fell to 3-10-2 overall and 2-5-0 in conference action.
Canisius jumped out to an early lead just 5:04 into the contest when junior Mathew Santos scored off an assist from classmate Mo Kretschmer. Santos’ goal, his first of the season, came after he was able to settle a pass from Kretschmer in space and ripped a shot from 30-yards out that beat Saint Peter’s goalkeeper Jamie Cleland to the lower left side of the frame. Canisius made the score 2-0 moments later after junior Eric Strauchen scored his first career goal off a header in the box. Senior Thomas Teupen got that scoring play started with a long pass from midfield that was received by Santos just outside the box. Santos turned in open space and found a streaking Strauchen inside the box, and the Webster, New York native was able to redirect the ball past Cleland to give the Blue and Gold a two-goal cushion.
From there, Saint Peter’s turned up the offensive intensity and had two shots bounce off the post midway through the first stanza. The Peacocks, who have just one road win this season, cut the Griffs’ lead in half with just two seconds to play before halftime when senior Louis Mobbs redirected a crossing pass off a set-piece from fellow senior Luke Fairlamb.
Canisius goalkeeper Marco Trivellato made six stops in goal and improved his record to 5-5-1 on the year with the victory. Cleland stopped three shots in the losing effort for Saint Peter’s.
Head Coach Dermot McGrane said, “The team came out with a lot of energy today and got off to a great start scoring two goals pretty early in the game. I was pleased with the way we managed the game in the second half, and felt we defended very well to help us pick up three important points in conference play.”
Canisius will play its next two games on the road, starting Saturday when the Griffs play at Monmouth. Game time in West Long Branch, N.J., is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
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