CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
LORETTO, P.A. — Canisius senior Paige Buscaglia scored twice in the game’s first 20 minutes, and junior Margretta Dry scored the game-winner just 53 seconds into overtime as the Canisius women’s soccer team opened the 2018 season with a 3-2 overtime victory at Saint Francis Sunday afternoon in Loretto, P.A. With the win, the Golden Griffins start the season at 1-0-0, while the Red Flash fell to 0-1-1 with the loss.
Dry scored the overtime game-winning goal in the 91st minute to push Canisius to the victory. Dry’s game-winning tally was set up by junior Alicia Larsson Vahlberg, who pushed the ball through the right side before dishing off to the Lockport, N.Y., native, who headed a shot off the crossbar and into the right side of the goal. The game-winning goal for Dry is the sixth in her career.
The Griffs opened the game’s scoring in the 11th minute on a goal by Buscaglia. Buscaglia received a pass from freshman Hope Balling and proceeded to get-around Red Flash goalkeeper Julia Hernen and push the ball inside the right goal post for the Griffs’ first score of the year. Saint Francis answered quickly with a goal in the 13th minute, but in the 20th minute, Buscaglia struck again and made the score 2-1 in favor of the Blue and Gold. Assists on Buscaglia’s second goal were credited to Balling and senior Melanie Linsmair.
Saint Franics knotted the game at 2-2 with a goal in the 48th minute. Canisius had two shots late, but it was not enough to change the score, forcing the game into extra time. In extra time, Canisius needed just 53 seconds to end the game, as Dry scored off the feed from Larsson Vahlberg.
Canisius junior goalkeeper Alana Rossi was credited with one save en route to the victory. Saint Francis goalkeeper Julia Hernan made two saves for the Red Flash, who have played into overtime in each of their first two games of the season. The Blue and Gold out shot Saint Francis 14-12, and tripled up the Red Flash on shots on goal, 9-3.
Head Coach Todd Clark‘s Postgame Comments
“Any win is exciting, but the first win of the year is always meaningful. To open up our season with a victory over a two-time defending conference champion on the road is super exciting. The depth of our team was vital to our performance today and the back-line played fantastically. Hope Balling was today’s hero for the new players and Paige showed us what seniors comeback looking to accomplish in a final season. Overall the depth of our team has changed us for the positive. “
Game Notes
• This was the 13th all-time meeting between these two programs in women’s soccer, with Canisius leading the series 8-4-1.
• This marks the second-straight season where Canisius has earned an overtime victory in the season-opener.
• Dry’s goal is the 11th of her career.
• Sunday’s two-goal performance by Buscaglia is her second multi-goal game. She also had two scores in a win over Fairfield Sept. 30, 2017.
• Balling is the first freshman to record multiple points in her Canisius debut since Emily Kuta had a goal and an assist at Hampton Aug. 21, 2015.
Up Next
Canisius will return to action Friday, Aug. 24, when the team opens the home portion of its 2018 schedule against Robert Morris at the Demske Sports Complex. Game time is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.