Smith’s Hat Trick Rallies Canisius Past Saint Peter’s on Senior Day, 3-2

Buffalo, N.Y. – The Canisius College women’s soccer team snapped a six-game winless streak on Senior Day, defeating Saint Peter’s by the score of 3-2 in double overtime at the Demske Sports Complex on Friday evening. Junior Brianna Smith (Buffalo, N.Y./Nichols) led the way for the Golden Griffins with her first career hat trick, erasing the Peacocks’ 2-0 first-half lead. The Griffs captured their first win in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action to improve to 1-4-0 and 3-12-0 on the season, while the Peacocks fall to 0-4-0 in the conference and 1-13-0 overall. “Overall, I was very pleased with our performance. Making that comeback, I applaud the team,” said head coach Jim Wend-ling. “We moved the ball really well with a lot of good possession and attack. The team’s effort was great and I am very happy for their win tonight.” Smith led the Griffs’ offense, accounting for close to half the team’s total shots with 12 in the contest. Smith’s second-half hat trick pushed her season total to nine goals for 18 points. The game-winning goal was the junior’s seventh of her career. In relief of goalkeeper Megan Tock (Syracuse, N.Y./Marcellus), sophomore Brigid St. Leger (Cazenovia, N.Y./Chittenango) recorded her first career win in over 75 minutes of action with one save. Striking in the first three minutes of the contest, Saint Peter’s managed to take a 2-0 lead in the 35th minute. Despite the Griffs holding a 12-6 shot advantage over the Peacocks, the visitors took a 2-0 lead into halftime. The rest of the contest belonged to the Griffs. Controlling possession in the second half, the Griffs split the Peacocks’ lead to 2-1 in the 65th minute. Attacking along the right side, sophomore Megan Mahoney (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Ketcham) stopped suddenly before feeding Smith the ball inside the six-yard box. Smith would tap in her seventh goal of the season and first of the night. Continuing to work the ball into the Peacocks’ end of the field, the Griffs would tie the contest at 2-2 in the 87th minute. Storm-ing down the right side, senior Emily Paquette (Loveland, Ohio/Milford) found Smith open in the middle of the field. From 20 yards out, Smith blasted home her eighth goal of the season and second of the night. Following a scoreless opening extra period, the teams would force a second extra session. In the extra sessions, the Griffs held a 6-0 shot advantage over the Peacocks. With time ticking down, the Griffs continued to pressure the Peacocks. With just under three minutes remaining, junior Katie Griffin (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville East) sent a through ball to Smith, who found herself alone with the Peacocks’ goalkeeper. With a one-on-one chance, Smith buried the opportunity to give the Griffs a 3-2 win and their first conference win of the season. For the first time this season, the Golden Griffins outshot an opponent. In the contest, the Griffs held a 28-9 shot advantage over the Peacocks. The Griffs dominated in corner opportunities with 11 to the Peacocks’ lone chance. As part of the team’s Senior Night celebration, the Griffs honored seniors Brooke Bandazian (Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo), Keily Funk (Manchester, N.H.), and Paquette with a framed jersey. The Blue and Gold return to the pitch on Sunday afternoon when they host MAAC opponent Manhattan at 1 p.m in the home finale at the Demske Sports Complex.

NOTES: Smith is the first Griff to score a hat trick since Amanda Janosky’s four-goal performance against Saint Peter’s on Oct. 14, 2007 ... With 28 shots, the Griffs set a season game-high… In addition, this was the first time the Griffs registered more than 25 shots since their 1-0 win over Saint Peter’s on Oct. 2, 2011… The victory was the team’s first conference win at home since Oct. 7, 2011 when the Griffs defeated Loyola, 3-2.

#GoGriffs.com#2012-13; No. 31

For Immediate ReleaseDate: Oct. 12, 2012Contact: Will NowadlyPhone: (716) 888-8267

ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

2001 Main Street | Buffalo, N.Y. | 14208 | Fax: 716-888-8444 | www.gogriffs.com

CANISIUS COLLEGE