Whitaker scores two, Griffs move to 2–0 in MAAC play

By: Andrew Nowel, Sports Layout Editor

Women’s soccer kicked off on Saturday against the Merrimack Warriors as the Griffs returned home to continue MAAC play. Behind an offensive explosion of four goals – with junior Jessica Whitaker scoring two of them – the Griffs opened their home conference schedule with a 4–2 victory.

Once again, the Griffs utilized a quick lead of two goals to win the game. Whitaker scored her second of the season 14 minutes into the game before senior Skylar Cornell tallied her first of the season 16 minutes later. With the 2–0 lead, the Griffs played smart as they controlled possession, but the Warriors were able to put four shots on goal toward freshman goalkeeper Chloe Tseros, all of which were saved.

Merrimack came out of halftime with new life, leading to a quick goal to shorten the Griffs lead to one. Nearly 20 minutes later, the Warriors tied the game at two and it seemed the game would get away from Canisius. During the Manhattan game a week prior, the Griffs had shown resilience after taking a 2–0 lead and never quit, winning 2–1. Now with the game tied, Griffs Head Coach Ryan Louis tried to rally the team to find the same energy in that win.

Louis’ words echoed in the ears of the Griffs as less than a minute after the Warriors tied the game, Canisius answered right back, when freshman Ailis Osmond scored her first collegiate goal to give the Griffs a 3–2 lead. Osmond earned her second assist of the season earlier in the game, but added her first goal, which gave the Griffs the right energy to finish the game. “When the game went 2–2, we easily could’ve caved and even lost the game, but the girls were resilient and they battled, so to see the game out 4–2, it was a great way to end things,” said Louis after the game.

Whitaker added her second of the game and third of the season in the final minutes to give the Griffs the 4–2 win. This improved the team to 2–0 in the MAAC after starting the season without a win in non-conference play. Head Coach Louis commented after the game about how confidence has been the key to their recent success: “We were lacking confidence during non-conference, but confidence is high right now,” he said on Monday. “We just beat two tough MAAC opponents, especially with the styles that both Manhattan and Merrimack play with, so I think momentum is good right now and we need to continue to ride that.” 

The Griffs return to the pitch on Saturday to face the Rider Broncs on the road before coming home to take on the Iona Gaels. With Whitaker, Cornell and a new face – Osmond – finding the back of the net, the Griffs carry the confidence of a winning team into the heart of their schedule.

Photo Courtesy of Tom Wolf