Sept. 4, 2009
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - Led by two goals from senior Sylvia Kowalski, Canisius erased a two-goal deficit with three unanswered tallies to complete the come-from-behind 3-2 win over St. Bonaventure on Friday evening at McGraw-Jennings Field.
The Bonnies jumped out to a 2-0 lead just 20 minutes into the game, but couldn't hold off the Griffs over the final 70 minutes en route to falling to 1-3 on the season. Canisius, on the other hand, remains unbeaten at 2-0-1.
"It's unbelievably disappointing to lose a game after being up 2-0 in the first half, especially after giving up two goals that were entirely preventable," said head coach Manoj Khettry. "But give a great deal of credit to Canisius; it's not easy to score three goals after being down 2-0 on the road. They just out-worked, out-coached, and ultimately out-competed us."
The Bonnies struck just over a minute into the game on a well-executed play that started in the midfield. Sophomore Emily Buccilla gained control of the ball on the left sideline and found junior Anna Cunningham in the center of the field. Cunningham promptly led the ball to classmate Courtney Bosse who made one touch and then beat the Canisius keeper to make it 1-0.
Sophomore Tori Burchett made it a two-goal Bona lead in the 21st minute as she found her way to the back post on a corner kick and headed home a ball hit by sophomore Janelle Taylor. The goal is just the third of Burchett's career, while the assist was the second of Taylor's career.
Momentum started to swing towards Canisius with just under 10 minutes remaining in the half when Kowalski took a nice through-ball from Laura Ellis in stride for her first tally, making it 2-1.
The Griffs continued to apply pressure over the final few minutes, but the Bonnies were able to hold onto the 2-1 lead at the break.
Kowalski struck again in the 54th minute, as she gathered a loose ball in front of the Bona net and tapped it home for the equalizing goal. The play started at midfield when Kelly Reinwald sent a cross all the way to the front of the net for the tap-in score that made it 2-2.
Less than nine minutes later Canisius took its first lead of the game off a well-hit shot by freshman Keily Funk from just outside the center of the goal box. Funk's shot dropped right over keeper Nicole Markert to complete the Griffs comeback and make it 3-2.
The Bonnies were able to put just two shots on net over the final 28 minutes.
"I don't know how many more lessons we need until we compete and battle for 90 minutes, but every team on our schedule can beat us," Khettry said. "If we don't find a way to become better competitors soon - we're in for a very long season."
Bosse's goal was her team-best third of the season, all of which have come at home. Making her 25th consecutive start in net, Markert finished with three saves.
St. Bonaventure will continue its Big 4 weekend on Sunday when it welcomes Buffalo to McGraw-Jennings Field. Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m.
