By Colin Richey, Assistant Sports Editor
Canisius lost a pair of MAAC games last week, falling 3–1 to Marist and 3–0 to Niagara as their season nears its end.
The Griffs got on the scoreboard first on Saturday while hosting Marist, but the team ultimately couldn’t match the offensive power that the Red Foxes answered with. Junior midfielder Dylan Rice scored his third goal in four games to open the scoring. In the 25th minute, sophomore midfielder Kyle Pollard sent a cross into the 18-yard box, and Rice performed a sliding kick to deflect the ball into the back of the net to give Canisius the 1–0 lead. Marist came back quickly, scoring their first of the game in the 30th minute, and their second of the game in the 35th minute.
In the second half, sophomore midfielder Daniel Longo and junior forward Ely Sidibe both registered shots on goal but were unable to beat the Marist goalkeeper. The shots from Pollard, Longo and Sidibe would be the only shots on goal the Griffins saw all game, as opposed to the 10 shots on goal registered by Marist. In the 87th minute, the Red Foxes scored their third goal of the game, sealing the victory.
Rice’s third goal of the year makes him the fifth Griff to have recorded three goals this season, the first time the team has had five 3+ goal scorers since 2017. Rice’s emergence in the offense has stemmed from a position change midway through the season. He explained, “I went from a left back position to more of a left wing position. Midfield is my natural position, I’ve played center mid my entire life, so I wasn’t too worried about playing that position. When [head coach Michael Tanke] gave me the first full game in the midfield against Siena, since then everything has felt more natural. I feel more efficient and productive there.”
Rice credited Sidibe and sophomore midfielder Michael Switala for their chemistry and the trio’s ability to work well together on offense. As a team, Canisius has “almost tripled our goals from last year, so whatever’s happening, it’s working. The results just aren’t coming our way.”
The team lost their “Battle of the Bridge” matchup to Niagara 3–0 on Wednesday. After a scoreless first half, the Purple Eagles tallied three second half goals (49’, 67’ and 81’). Niagara outshot Canisius 23–9, while shots on goal finished 8–2 in favor of the Purple Eagles. Graduate goalkeeper Spencer Catalano recorded five saves in the contest.
Canisius closes out the season at home against Saint Peter’s on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m., where the Griffs will look to earn their first conference win of the season.