Men's Soccer Slips Against Canisius, 2-1

Wednesday, September 21

7:30 pm

University at Buffalo

4-4-1

Canisius

2-5-0

CAN

Buffalo

Men's Soccer Slips Against Canisius, 2-1

9/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo men's soccer team fell to crosstown rival Canisius, 2-1, on a rainy night at UB Stadium. The Bulls (4-4-1) have now dropped four straight matches after opening the season unbeaten in their first five contests.

Canisius (2-5-0) scored the game-winning goal early in the second half as Andrew Incho took a throw-in from J.J. Hughes at 49:35 along the left sideline and lofted a shot from 30 yards that floated over UB goalkeeper Jonathan Viscosi's head and into the net.

Lightning outside UB Stadium forced the teams to stop play late in the first half as the officials called for a weather delay with 5:58 remaining. After the mandatory 30-minute wait, lightning struck again, this time on the field as both teams scored before halftime.

UB opened the scoring at 40:36 as Joey Merlo netted his second goal of the season. Garfield Williams' pass across the goal box was deflected by Canisius keeper Kareem Gray, but Merlo got a foot on the ball and knocked it across the goal line. It was Williams' first assist of the season.

The Golden Griffins quickly tied the score 43 seconds later as Jared Ott connected following a corner kick by Regan Steele.

After the Incho goal in the second half, the Bulls applied the pressure outshooting the Griffs, 10-4, in the final 30 minutes of play. UB also collected of eight its nine corner kicks during the time frame but were unable to gain the equalizer.

UB outshot Canisius, 17-16, including 12-9 in the second half. Both goalkeepers, Viscosi for UB and Gray for Canisius were credited with six saves.

"Our game plan was to possess the ball," said interim head coach David Hesch. "We didn't get the penetrating final pass. They [Canisius] scored two great goals. We need to score goals in the final third."

The Bulls are home on Friday against local rival Niagara. Kickoff at UB Stadium is slated for 5:00 pm as the match is the opener in doubleheader with the UB women's soccer team.