The 2026 season opened with a tightly contested collegiate men's soccer match at the Demske Sports Complex in Buffalo, New York, where the Robert Morris Colonials edged the Canisius Golden Griffins 1‑0.
A Decisive Moment in the 87th Minute
Callum Doyle Travers broke the deadlock with a well‑placed strike in the 87th minute, his first goal of the campaign, after a precise pass from Matthew Eckersall that set up the play alongside Miguel Dominguez's contribution.
The goal came after a series of weather‑related stoppages; lightning forced a pause in the 66th minute and another in the 71st, interrupting the flow of play but not the intensity of the squads.
Robert Morris dominated possession and shot volume, finishing with a 9‑5 edge in shots and a 6‑2 advantage in the second half, while also out‑cornering Canisius 7‑3, underscoring their attacking pressure.
Goalkeeping and Defensive Stance
In goal, Josh Lane secured his first clean sheet of the season with a single stop, while Canisius' Preston Harold managed one save; the Griffs' Glodie Mata, who played 70 minutes, faced the only shot on target for the opposition.
Both Henrique Dias and Larry Jimenez logged the full 180 minutes for Canisius, marking their first two appearances of the 2026 campaign, while the Colonials' graduate goalkeeper Glodie Mata recorded the lone shot on goal for the Griffs.
Series History and Future Outlook
The win extended Robert Morris's lead in the all‑time series to 12‑6‑3 over Canisius, a record built over 21 meetings, suggesting a continued competitive edge as both programs move forward in the 2026 schedule.