CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, K.Y. — Alex Willis scored two goals, including the game winner in the 82nd minute, to lead Northern Kentucky to a 3-2 victory over Canisius in collegiate men’s soccer action Monday at the NKU Soccer Stadium in Highland Heights, K.Y.
Connor Murphy also found the back of the net for the Norse, who improved to 2-0-0 on the young season with the victory. Seniors Hunter Walsh and Melvin Blairscored for the Golden Griffins, who moved to 1-1-0 with the setback, while senior Bryce Tramuta posted a career-high eight saves.
Tied at 2-2 with less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Willis put NKU ahead for good at the 81:45 mark when he tapped home a goalmouth feed from Alex Grieve after Grieve’s initial attempt was stopped by Tramuta.
Canisius appeared to have netted the equalizer moments later when sophomore Filippo Tamburini scored from close range, but the goal was waived off as he was deemed to be offside on the play.
Earlier in the contest, the Griffs took a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute when Hunter Walsh beat Norse goalkeeper Jim Barkei with a shot to the left side from just inside the top of the box during a transition opportunity. Freshman Jo Preci and junior Will Pauls were credited with assists on the play.
NKU drew level a little less than two minutes later when Murphy blasted a shot from distance that deflected off the crossbar and in for his first of the campaign.
The Norse took a 2-1 lead in the 55th minute as Willis used a goal kick from Barkei to get behind the Canisius defense before chipping the ball over a charging Tramuta and into the cage.
Blair drew the Griffs level in the 67th minute, sliding his own rebound under Barkei and into the cage to tie the game at 2-2 and set up Willis’ game-winning goal.
Head Coach Dermot McGrane‘s Postgame Comments
“We are still dealing with a lot of injuries, which made it very tough to play today in hot and humid conditions with very few options for substitutions.
“I like a lot of what we are seeing from the team and when we get back to full strength we will be tough to play against.”
Game Notes
• Monday’s contest served as the first meeting between Canisius and Northern Kentucky.
• The Norse posted a 19-12 shot advantage for the contest, highlighted by an 11-7 edge in the first half. NKU also enjoyed a 7-4 margin in corner kicks taken.
• Preci picked up his first collegiate point with his assist on Walsh’s first-half tally.
• Blair and Walsh both scored their first goals of the season during Monday’s contest.
• Sophomore’s Deu Awuok and Malcom Masviwka both made their collegiate debut’s during Monday’s contest.
• Tramuta posted a career-high eight saves during Monday’s contest, surpassing his previous personal best of seven saves against Iona during the 2016 campaign.
Up Next
Canisius continues its six-game road swing Aug. 31 with a 3 p.m. contest at No. 11 Michigan State.
All WNY is made possible thanks to coffee and sleep deprivation.
We appreciate your readership. We like money, too.
