Nor’easter slows Gaels, Pickard lifts Griffs to victory
By Andrew Nowel, Editor-In-Chief
The Canisius women’s soccer team traveled across the state to New Rochelle, N.Y. as they prepared to take on the Iona Gaels in a matchup last Saturday. However, the weather had other plans as a nor’easter swept the east coast throughout the weekend, postponing the game to Monday afternoon. With the weather slowing down Iona, the Griffs took the extra days to perfect their play as junior Ava Pickard played hero once again in a 1–0 victory.
An early start by the Griffs gave them momentum that carried throughout the entire game. It started two minutes into the game with senior Jessica Whitaker firing the first shot on target. Throughout the first half, two more shots went on target with six shots total, giving the Griffs the edge in shots. Even though the Blue and Gold didn’t find the back of the net, it was all Griffs in the opening frame.
The Griffs continued their high pressure on the wet turf in the second half, putting another three shots on goal, all stopped by Gaels junior goalkeeper Kayla Kalbaugh. Making six saves compared to Griffs freshman goalkeeper Alexa Turmel’s zero, Kalbaugh kept the Gaels in the game, but as the clock winded down, it was only a matter of time before one snuck by the Pleasant Valley, N.Y. native.
Junior Megan Joerger came inches away from breaking the scoreless tie at the 77th minute when she hit the right post. The Griffs were given a golden opportunity following this chance when Gaels sophomore defender Mikayla Thompson took a foul, setting up the Griffs with a free kick just outside the 18–yard box. Pickard lined up with two options: take the shot or cross the ball to the back post where her teammates waited. She curved the ball perfectly on target and past the diving Kalbaugh, giving the Griffs the needed 1–0 advantage.
Just nine days after playing hero on the Demske, Pickard scored what would go on to be the game–winning goal for the second straight game. She became the latest Griffs player to score consecutive game–winning goals after junior forward Azaria Fagan did so last season. Head Coach Ryan Louis praised how Pickard has come into a new environment and taken on a role that was Lizzy Harkness’ last season.
“We’ve put a lot of pressure on Ava, but she’s come in and been fantastic. I do think Ava has done an outstanding job fitting in and adjusting, and I think she’ll be a big part of the team’s success,” said Louis after last week’s win over Rider. Pickard helped prove his statement true with her game–winning goal a week later in the rainy atmosphere of Iona.
With a 2–2 Metro record, the Blue and Gold return to the Nickel City next weekend to play one of the most important games of the season, according to Louis. The Quinnipiac Bobcats will travel west to Buffalo to face the Griffs in a semifinal rematch of last year’s conference tournament. As the Griffs look to establish themselves in the Metro Conference, their next test could solidify their place as a top contender with one simple goal in mind: the glory of a championship.
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