A Night of Breakthroughs for the Griffins
The Griffins arrived in Hamilton with a clear mission: to finally break a decade‑long drought against Colgate. What unfolded at Beyer‑Small '76 Field was a display of offensive efficiency and defensive discipline that left the home crowd buzzing.
Junior forward Azaria Fagan ignited the scoring within the first half, striking twice in quick succession. Her first goal came at the 25:12 mark, and she added a second just a minute later, pushing the visitors ahead 2‑0 before the halftime whistle.
Freshman keeper Alexa Turmel proved pivotal, making seven saves and contributing an assist on Fagan's opening goal — the first collegiate assist of her career. Her performance helped limit Colgate to a single shot on goal in regulation.
Colgate managed to pull one back in the 76th minute when Ava McCloskey found the net, halving the deficit. Despite the late rally, the Raiders could not find an equalizer, finishing the match with a 22‑6 shot disadvantage.
The Griffins' defensive unit, anchored by Ella Poppinga's two saves, held firm under a barrage of corner kicks — eight in total, five of them in the second half. The team's 2‑1 final score marked Canisius' second‑ever victory over Colgate and their first win in seven trips to Hamilton.
Beyond the scoreboard, the win underscored a broader upward trajectory for the program. Fagan's goal streak now spans three consecutive games from late October through early November, a feat she has achieved only twice in her career.
With the momentum built, Canisius looks ahead to a highly anticipated crosstown showdown against Buffalo, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Broadview Stadium on the University at Buffalo campus. The upcoming match offers a chance to carry this positive trajectory into the next phase of the season.