The Canisius women's soccer takes their play on the road this
weekend, facing non-conference foes Akron and Cleveland State. The Griffs,
who are 1-1-0 this season, play Akron on Friday at 7 p.m. before battling
Cleveland State on Sunday at 12 p.m.
WEEK IN REVIEW
After dropping their season opener, Canisius looked to put the loss behind them during their first home game against St. Francis (Pa.). Here are some notes about the Griffs last game: Senior goalkeeper Lesley Ivinac earned the second win of her career as she started the second half while stopping four shots preserving the shutout during her 54 minutes of play. The Griffs finally broke onto the score sheet in 2010 when freshman midfielder Katie Griffin took a pass from sister Jenny Griffin and put it past the goalkeeper to lift the Griffs to a 1-0 overtime victory. It took 188:21 for the Griffs to score their first goal of the season. That is the longest amount of time that the Blue and Gold have been held without a tally under Jim Wendling's tenure as head coach. Canisius trailed in corner kicks (6-2), were tied in shots (14) and led in fouls (18-12) to round out the game statistics agasint the Red Flash.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
So Far the Griffs have featured three freshmen in their starting lineup in 2010. Freshmen Brianna Smith, Katie Griffin, and Adrianna Suk have been included in the starters this season. Griffin has scored one goal, Smith recorded two shots, while Suk has held her own defensivly. Griffin's game-winner as a freshman makes it three-straight years that the Griffs have had at least one freshman record a game winner. Katie is not the only memeber of her family to score a game-winner in her first year. Her older sister Jenny accomplished the feat in 2008. "We Are Family" might be a good theme song for the Griffs. While canisius currently sports the Griffin sister tandem in their starting lineup, the duo isn't the only sibling connection that has been featured for the Blue and Gold. Current assitant coach Nikki Gabrielli and junior back Dina Gabrielli started all 19 games for the Griffs in 2008.
ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT
When it comes to the dramatics of a close game, it seems the Blue and Gold have mastered the art. With their 1-0 victory of St. Francis (Pa.) last week, the Griffs improved their overtime record to 4-0-6 in the last 10 games where an extra time is needed.
ROAD WARRIORS
While the Griffs' first attempt away from the Demske Sports Complex proved to be unsuccessful, history is on the Blue and Gold's side. Under coach Jim Wendling Canisius is 11-5-3 when playing on the road. The Griffs have scored 34 goals away from home over the last three years averaging 1.7 goals in those away contests. Likewise, the Blue and Gold have only allowed 25 tallies in those games, an average of 1.36 goals per match on another team's pitch.
AKRON SERIES HISTORY
The book on the series between these two sides is certainly a short one. One chapter to be exact. Canisius has only faced the Akron Zips once in program history. The Griffs hosted the team from Ohio in 2007 and only mustered two shots on goal and fell to the Zips 1-0. Akron drew first blood with a goal in the 17th minute and didn't look back. Canisius fired 15 shots on goal with Megan Jones leading the charge but it wasn't enough. Daniella Pettinari was tabbed with the loss.
CLEVELAND STATE SERIES HISTORY
The Griffs and Vikings have matched up three times in program history, and the outcome has been nothing but successful for the Blue and Gold. Canisius has won all three matches between the two teams dating back to 2004. Here are some notes on the series:Canisius has outscored the vikings 8-1 in the three matches the two sides have played.The only time the Griffs have played at Krenzler Field Canisius won a tight match, outdueling the Vikings 2-1. Goals by Stephanie Karst and Amanda Janosky helped propel the Blue and Gold to the victory.The Griffs have posted shutouts in two of the three games played against Cleveland State with goalkeepers making a combined nine saves.
