BUFFALO, NY - The Saint Peter's University men's soccer team got back on track Monday afternoon, defeating Canisius 3-1 on the road in Buffalo. After a scoreless first half for both sides, an offensive explosion for the Peacocks saw them gain their third win of the year and move to 3-2 in conference play.
Senior forward
Dominic Laws had another impressive outing, scoring two goals in the second half, including what would be the game winner in the 69th minute off a beautiful pass from classmate and senior captain
Jordan Jowers. Jowers had a fantastic day on the pitch, setting a new career single-game high of three assists. The senior's third helper of the day found junior midfielder
Matt Hoyt on the near side, leading to Hoyt's first goal of the season, which would seal the game in the 76th minute.
Game Notes
- The Peacocks were able to get the ball rolling on the offensive front early Monday afternoon, as Laws recorded his first shot of the day in the third minute, which was blocked by a Canisius defender.
- Saint Peter's got another golden opportunity in the 7th minute, as junior midfielder Jamie Davis got a strong shot on goal which deflected into the box, but the Peacocks were unable to control the loose ball.
- Canisius was then awarded a free kick just two yards outside of the Saint Peter's box at the 18' mark, but senior captain Philip Smith was able to get into the path of the shot and head the ball clear.
- Senior midfielder Tom Coulson got his first scoring opportunity of the day nine minutes later, sending a ball toward the middle of the Canisius net that was brought up short by the Griffs keeper.
- Canisius' Riley Wagner was issued a straight red card in the 28th minute after a slide tackle on Hoyt, forcing the Griffs to play a man down for the remainder of the match.
- It didn't take long for the Peacocks to take advantage early in the second half, as Laws collected a deflection off the keeper following a shot from classmate Jordan Jowers and found the back of the net at the 47' mark.
- Canisius responded quickly though, scoring the equalizer in the 54th minute to level the score at 1-1.
- Senior defender Anton Moore tried for his first goal of the day at the 64' mark, going for a header off a free kick from Jowers but it was sent straight at the Canisius keeper who handled it with ease.
- Laws was not finished however, scoring his second goal of the day off a beautiful assist from Jowers across the middle of the field, sending it through the legs of the Griffs keeper in the 69th minute to put the Peacocks back on top 2-1.
- The Peacocks were able to continue the offensive pressure and, in the 75th minute, Hoyt would score his first goal of the season off another class feed from Jowers to grant Saint Peter's a 3-1 advantage.
Inside the Numbers
- Laws' pair of goals on Tuesday mark the senior's second multi-goal performance of the season following his two scores in the team's 4-3 win over Fairfield on March 26.
- The Sunderland, England native now leads the team with five goals on the year, while Jowers now leads the team in assists with three. Both players are tied for the most points this season with 11 apiece.
- Hoyt's goal is the junior's second of his career, and his first since October 13, 2018.
- Canisius held the advantage in shots at the end of the first half, tallying six to Saint Peter's four shots, while each team finished the first 45 minutes with two shots on goal.
- Saint Peter's took full advantage of the short-handed Canisius side in the second half, accumulating 14 shots and seven shots on goal in the last 45 minutes of play.
- Saint Peter's now stands at 3-0 against Canisius in the last three exchanges between the two sides, and improves to 14-16-1 against the Golden Griffins in the all-time matchup.
Coach's Quotes - Julian Richens
- "Good to get a win on the road today. There were some tired lads playing in their third game in five days, their fifth in 10 days."
- "Thought our finishing was clinical today and as the game opened up in the second half we continued to create chances."
Up Next
- The Peacocks will travel to New Rochelle for a rematch against their 2019 MAAC Championship Final opponent, Iona, on Thursday, April 8 at 1 p.m.
