NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Canisius put together a dominant second-half performance to cruise past Niagara 4-1 on Wednesday, extending its winning streak to two games. The Golden Griffins, riding momentum from a 5-1 victory over Saint Peter's last weekend, controlled the match after halftime and capitalized on Niagara's defensive vulnerabilities to secure a crucial road victory.
Morgan Kulniszewski gave Niagara an early lead in the 10th minute, but Canisius answered quickly when Lizzy Harkness equalized in the 19th minute. The first half remained tightly contested, with both teams trading chances but neither able to gain a decisive advantage. Harkness' goal came off an assist from Jessica Whitaker, keeping the Golden Griffins in the match despite Niagara's initial pressure.
The second half told a different story. Azaria Fagan broke through in the 51st minute with Skylar Cornell providing the assist, giving Canisius a 2-1 advantage. Cornell then added her own goal in the 57th minute to extend the lead to 3-1, and Maggie Cregan sealed the victory with a fourth goal in the 68th minute. Canisius' attack overwhelmed a Niagara defense that struggled to maintain shape as the match wore on.
Canisius dominated the statistical battle, outshooting Niagara 11-9 overall and 7-3 on shots on goal. The Golden Griffins also won the corner kick battle 4-2, creating multiple opportunities to attack from set pieces. Niagara's goalkeeper made three saves, while Canisius' keeper recorded two stops in a more controlled second-half performance.
The Eagles' defense couldn't contain Canisius' attacking movement, particularly down the flanks where Cornell and Fagan created consistent problems. Canisius' midfield controlled possession in the second half, limiting Niagara's ability to build attacking sequences. Yellow cards to Mya Jones for Canisius and Chloe Briggs for Niagara were the only disciplinary actions in a relatively clean match.
For Canisius, the victory improves its record to 7-8-1 and provides momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. The Golden Griffins have now won consecutive matches after a difficult stretch earlier in October, suggesting they've found their rhythm at the right time. Cornell's two-goal performance and Fagan's attacking play were particularly influential in the second-half dominance.
Niagara's loss extends its struggles, dropping the Eagles to 6-8-2 and marking a second consecutive defeat. The home team has now lost three of its last four matches, a concerning trend as the season enters its final weeks. Kulniszewski's early goal provided brief hope, but the Eagles couldn't maintain defensive discipline once Canisius adjusted its approach after halftime.
Canisius returns to action this weekend looking to build on this result, while Niagara will seek to stop the bleeding in its next outing. The Golden Griffins' ability to control the second half suggests they have the capability to compete with stronger opponents down the stretch, a positive sign for their NCAA Tournament resume.