Women’s Soccer ends skid, plays Saints to 0–0 draw

By Andrew Nowel, Sports Layout Editor

After beginning conference play 4–0, the women’s soccer team got off to slow starts against Sacred Heart and Fairfield, falling in both games. With the Siena Saints coming to town, the Griffs came in hungry for points. Fueled by their fellow Canisius athletes, the team dueled the Saints to a 0-0 draw for the fourth straight year.

Steve Karbowski, the 27-year veteran coach of the Saints, watched his team jump out to a quick start, holding possession for the majority of the first half. The Saints hit the crossbar twice, along with Griffs freshman goalkeeper Chloe Tseros making a critical save to keep Canisius in a tie game. The Saints produced nine shot attempts during the first half, with Tseros recording three saves.

Not only were the Griffs overwhelmed defensively in the first half – on the other side of the field was the best goalkeeper in the MAAC. Already with five shutouts on the season, Saints sophomore Cate Burns led the conference with 64 saves. The Griffs only challenged her to make one in the first half.

As the sun snuck into the visual of Siena’s attack, the Griffs capitalized on the opportunity to settle into the game. They tested Burns twice when Canisius forced Siena to turn over the ball deep in their defensive zone. Junior Jessica Whitaker found herself with a scoring chance, forcing Burns to make a diving save to keep the game scoreless. Griffs Head Coach Ryan Louis went to his bench with 13 minutes left in the game, trying one last trick up his sleeve. Senior Skylar Cornell hadn’t seen the field in Wednesday’s game, but with a chance to gain a crucial three points, Louis called for #7. Cornell entered her senior season with nine goals and 11 assists. A key offensive player for the Griffs, this was their last chance for an offensive push.

As the clock wound down, the Griffs tried one last time to put the ball past Burns. Unable to do so, the teams tied for the fourth straight year, ending in a scoreless final. Both teams needed the point, as the Griffs maintained a playoff position with the tie while the Saints sit three points out of the six-team MAAC Tournament. The Griffs head back on the road on Saturday to face the best team in the MAAC, the Quinnipiac Bobcats. The only other team that Louis hasn’t beaten during his five-year span at Canisius, the Griffs will look to bring down the Bobcats and keep climbing to November glory.

Photo Courtesy of Canisius Athletics