Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Women’s soccer finds a late equalizer to play rival Canisius College to a 2-2 draw in a Canal Cup contest at Niagara Field on Friday night.

Although statistically playing a better second half, it was the Purple Eagles (8-9-1; 3-5-1 MAAC) who stuck first, scoring in just the fifth minute of the first half. Receiving a pass from teammate Haillie Price, splitting the defense, sophomore Catherine Meyer found herself one-on-one with Canisius keeper Megan Tock and finished the play, putting the Purple Eagles up, 1-0.

Canisius (4-14-1; 2-6-1 MAAC) answered fourteen minutes later after sophomore Maria Nelms found the ball at her feet following a shot ringing off the post. The Griffs took the 2-1 lead in the 31^st minute off a well-placed finish from Junior and MAAC second-leading scorer, Brianna Smith.

Following a late Canisius lead, a final surge of offense by the Purple Eagles paid off with just two minutes left in regulation. Price collected a ball bouncing around in the box and buried it past the Canisius keeper for her second point on the night, sending the game into overtime. Niagara held the second half advantage in shots, 11-3, for a game total of 24-14. Neither team was able to gather a tally in the extra periods, and the Purple Eagles’ final game of the 2012 campaign ended in a 2-2 draw.

“I’m happy that we fought back and got the tie, and I am happy that our seniors can leave Niagara never having lost to their rival,” said head coach Peter Veltri. “I thought for the second half we were the better team; we out played and out shot Canisius, but could not find the back of the net for the win. Hopefully some of our younger players got a taste of the rivalry and understand the importance of this game.”

Senior Amanda Taylor posted her second win of the season, while Tock drew her second loss.