Griffs’ resilience continues, host MAAC Championship game Sunday

By Andrew Nowel, Sports Layout Editor

The Griffs are headed to the championship game of the MAAC playoffs. With a journey only encompassing five days, Canisius found a way to not only be one of the teams in the championship, but to host the final MAAC game of the season.

Last Sunday, the women’s soccer team began the road to the NCAA Tournament in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC Tournament with a home matchup against the Marist Red Foxes. Having fallen to them earlier in the season. Canisius was ready for revenge and didn’t look back after an early goal from sophomore Azaria Fagan gave the Griffs the only goal they would need in the 1–0 victory. They followed that performance with a battle in Hamden, CT. on Thursday against the Quinnipiac Bobcats that ended in another victory via penalty kicks for the Griffs. 

Sunday’s contest began with Canisius coming out with energy fueled by their fans on their home turf. Being at the Demske was something that Head Coach Ryan Louis commented on last week after their home-clinching win over Niagara, and it showed from the minute the game started. “The girls were very confident from minute one,” said Louis on Wednesday. The Griffs made the first three shot attempts before Marist was able to get one of their own, saved by Griffs freshman goalkeeper Chloe Tseros. It was the 20th minute that would change the entire course of the game.

Canisius held the offensive pressure against Marist with a throw-in from the corner, and senior Skylar Cornell found herself with the ball at her feet. Cornell proceeded to make a highlight reel pass to an open Fagan, who headed the ball into the net for the first goal of the game. It was Fagan’s first playoff goal of her collegiate career and the excitement couldn’t be contained as the Griffs celebrated. “It was something so special. We’re looking to keep the same mindset going forward,” said Fagan after the game.

With the 1–0 lead, the Griffs relaxed the offensive pressure, but that led the Red Foxes to gain momentum as the game progressed. Tseros would record three saves in the game, including two in the second half, helping the Griffs finish with a 1–0 home victory.

The Griffs headed into Thursday’s semifinal game in Hamden, Conn. ready to rematch the Quinnipiac Bobcats, who hadn’t lost a MAAC game all season. It was early in the second half that junior Maggie Cregan gave the Griffs the boost they needed with an early goal. After being tripped inside the 18-yard box, Cregan lined up for a penalty kick and scored, giving Canisius a 1–0 advantage. However, a red card taken by junior Mary Molloy meant the Griffs would be down a player for the rest of the game. Furthermore, the Bobcats found the back of the net on the ensuing free kick, tying the game 1–1. 

The final 30 minutes of the second half raised tension, but neither team could score. It remained scoreless during two 10-minute overtime periods and the game headed to penalty kicks. Tseros came up big with two saves, while the Griffs found the back of the net four times, with goals from Cregan, Cornell, junior Jessica Whitaker and senior Lizzy Harkness to win the penalty kick shootout and the semifinal match in Hamden. 

The resilience of the group was something Louis had mentioned all throughout the season and it showed in the team’s biggest moment. “I’m really proud of this team. I knew going into this season that this team had the mentality to be successful and I’m just super proud of what they’ve accomplished so far,” said Louis after the win. Tseros described what she saw from her teammates that led to the hard-fought victory, saying, “We put everything on the line today like it was our last game, and it showed when calls didn’t go our way because we put our heads down and got the win,” said Tseros.

The Griffs will return to the Demske on Sunday to host the championship game against the Sacred Heart Pioneers, who upset the Stags later on Thursday night. With a championship now in reach, the Griffs will come back to Buffalo for one final game.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Nowel