EMMITSBURG, MD — Mount St. Mary's broke through in the 83rd minute from the penalty spot to secure a 1-0 victory over visiting Canisius on Wednesday night. Graham Dougald converted the decisive penalty kick after Kiryl Dubins was sent off for unsporting conduct, giving the Mountaineers their second consecutive win and a crucial three points in the conference race.
The match remained scoreless through 82 minutes of tightly contested play before the dramatic finish. Mount St. Mary's dominated possession and created numerous chances, outshooting Canisius 17-8 overall and 9-4 on target. Yet the home side's inability to finish in open play kept the Golden Griffins within striking distance throughout the contest. Canisius, meanwhile, mounted a stubborn defensive effort while looking to extend their attacking opportunities on the counter.
The first half saw Mount St. Mary's control the tempo but struggle to convert their territorial advantage into goals. Sherwin Chen had several chances for the hosts, testing Canisius's defense with shots in the 8th and 13th minutes. Romero Nicolazzo and Glodie Mata generated some dangerous moments for the visitors, but neither team could find the breakthrough before halftime. The Golden Griffins earned seven corner kicks to Mount St. Mary's five, suggesting they weren't entirely passive despite being outshot.
After the break, Mount St. Mary's continued pressing forward with increased intensity. Maciej Majcherczyk and Christian Kyriacou tested the Canisius goalkeeper with blocked shots in the 48th and 64th minutes. The Mountaineers' attacking pressure mounted as the second half progressed, with Abou Cherif and Isaiah Garcia combining to create chances in the 51st and 77th minutes. Canisius's defense held firm, but the constant barrage suggested a goal was inevitable.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 82nd minute when Danny Chhetri drew a penalty kick. Dubins's subsequent yellow card for unsporting conduct set the stage for Dougald to step up and convert from the spot, sending the home crowd into celebration. The penalty ended what had been a frustrating evening of missed opportunities for Mount St. Mary's.
Canisius's goalkeeper made four saves to keep his team in the match, while Mount St. Mary's keeper recorded eight stops. The Golden Griffins' defensive discipline deserved credit—they limited the Mountaineers' clear-cut chances despite being heavily outshot. Still, the penalty proved the difference in a match where execution ultimately separated the two teams.
The victory improves Mount St. Mary's to 3-7-5 overall and extends their winning streak to two games following last week's 1-0 triumph over Quinnipiac. The Mountaineers showed resilience after dropping a 2-0 decision at Fairfield five days earlier. For Canisius, the loss marks their third consecutive defeat, dropping them to 4-9-1 on the season. The Golden Griffins have struggled to find consistency, managing just one win in their last five outings.
Mount St. Mary's returns to action Saturday when they travel to face Iona, while Canisius hosts Merrimack on the same day. Both teams will look to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season with NCAA Tournament positioning still very much in play.