By Andrew Nowel, Sports Reporter
While there isn’t a lot of activity this week from the Division I athletics around Canisius, the men’s club soccer team is in the heart of their season, facing off against the Buffalo Bulls last Sunday. After last season’s 7–0 loss to the Bulls, the Griffs were looking forward to a rematch with the new-look team they assembled this fall. It was more than just a regular victory for the Griffs, as they shut out the Bulls 2–0.
The energy from the 20 players rostered for the game was felt by everyone on the field, as the Griffs jumped out to a quick start, pressuring the Bulls’ defense early on. Graduate student Dayron Mejia was creating scoring chances, leading up to the Griffs’ first goal of the game. After Mejia forced a corner kick, senior captain Andrew Crooks headed the ball into the back of the net on the next play for his 3rd goal of the season, giving the Griffs a 1–0 lead.
After the game, Crooks was very proud of all 20 guys that were rostered on Sunday night and attributed the success to every single one of them. “I went into that game feeling like it was going to be tough, since UB has three wins on the season, all really good wins and a really solid team across the board, but we really brought the energy,” said Crooks. “I rostered 20 guys thinking that we’re really gonna need subs, we’re really gonna need high intensity throughout it, and I’m super proud of all 20 players.”
Defensively, the Griffs were solid after a very frustrating loss last Friday night against the Brockport Golden Eagles, where the defense struggled with communication. On Sunday, the Griffs were shutting down any chance that went near the net. The back line of sophomore Alex Cowin, freshman Nate Ramsdell, sophomore Henock Mfuamba, and junior John Van Vessen helped to create an impenetrable force, along with freshman goalkeeper Nolan Chambers. Chambers would end the game with his first career shutout, making some crucial saves late in the first half to hold the 1–0 lead into halftime.
“It felt amazing since I know a lot of guys that go to that school, so it felt great to shut them out,” said Chambers on Tuesday. “Going forward, I want to see the defense continue to be dominant, stepping toward the ball, not letting shots get off.”
The Griffs added to the lead early in the second half with a goal by junior Harald Rehm to finish the game with a 2–0 victory. It was their second win of the season, improving their record to 2–2–0. The Griffs will next travel to Olean, New York to face the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m., before returning home to face the Niagara Purple Eagles on Oct. 5 at 8 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of Canisius Club Soccer
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