Sept. 14, 2008
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The St. Bonaventure men's soccer team rallied from a goal down in its second straight match to earn a 1-1 double overtime draw with local rival Canisius early Sunday evening at the Demske Sports Complex.
The 1-1 tie was the Brown and White's second such result in as many games as they move to 1-1-2 on the season. Canisius notched its first draw of the year and owns a 2-3-1 mark following today's match.
"This evening's contest was an evenly-played match and a fair result for our club," said head coach Mel Mahler. "Despite some defensive miscues, Flynn kept us in the game with some great saves throughout the contest."
The Golden Griffins exploded out of the opening kickoff with a flurry of shots in the opening minutes of action. Brian Patterson forced a save from sophomore keeper David Flynn at the 1:16 mark before beginning the scoring exactly four minutes later to put his side ahead by a 1-0 advantage in the fifth minute.
Patterson created his second score of the season as he lifted the ball over the charging Flynn as the keeper was forced to make a play on the ball from out of the net. Hector Rodriguez was credited with the assist to stun the Bonnies with an early goal.
Despite seeing a goal scored in the contest's initial stages, neither club found the back of the net in the first half's remaining 40 minutes. Canisius held a 7-5 shot advantage in the opening stanza with only a trio of combined saves needed from either keeper.
After watching the Golden Griffins tally a goal in the opening minutes of the game, St. Bonaventure mimicked its local rivals in the second stanza with the equalizer just 4:50 into the final 45 minutes.
Junior Samuel Maheu knotted the match at 1-1 with his second goal of the season as he slipped behind the Canisius defense and received a well-placed ball from sophomore midfielder Fabrizio Savarino before beating Griff keeper Adam Miller one-on-one. With five points in 2008, Maheu has surpassed his season total of a year ago through just four matches.
The score remained tied throughout the remainder of regulation and into both overtime periods. Bona registered five of its 13 overall shots in extra time, but finished the match two strikes shy of the Golden Griffin's 15. Maheu paced the club with six shots.
Flynn turned in another solid performance in net with six saves, including a pair in the final two minutes of play.
Following three straight contests on the road, the Bonnies return to McGraw-Jennings Field on Friday, September 19 for a match-up with Cleveland State at 5:00 p.m. St. Bonaventure posted a 3-1 season opening victory over the Vikings in 2007.
