By Isaiah Blakely @IsaiahBlakely3
The St. Bonaventure Bonnies fell to its rival Canisius Golden Griffins, 2-0 on a chilly Friday night in its first home matchup at Marra Athletics Field Complex.
The first-half featured back and forth chances for both teams starting with Bona captain Paul Afful putting a free kick just over the goal.
Moments later the Golden Griffins missed a golden opportunity when midfielder Melvin Blair shot wide from about six yards out. They continued the pressure when midfielder Evan Walsh half-volleyed from inside the box, but shot over the goal.
The Golden Griffins came out in the second half with most of the scoring opportunities including forward Hakeem Milson putting a shot over the bar inside the penalty area. In the 57th minute, the scoring drought gave way as Alex Grattarola scored a header off a corner kick giving the Golden Grifffins a 1-0 lead.
The Bonnies tried to answer back with pressure of their own when Afful put a stingy shot on goal that was saved by Griffins’ goalie Marco Trivellato.
Bonnies goalie Luke Iacobellis made one of his seven saves on a Canisius counter attack to keep the Bonnies just one goal down.
Seconds later, after Iacobellis’s save, the Golden Griffins scored again off a corner kick from forward Filippo Tamburini.
The Bonnies couldn’t generate anymore offense losing 2-0.
Bonnies coach Kwame Oduro stressed the need to work on set pieces.
“Their two goals came from set pieces,” Oduro said. “If we take care of that, hey, it can be the difference.”
To get back on track, Oduro said the Bonnies needed to start scoring some goals as they only have two goals in their last three contests.
“We are too static in our movement,” Oduro said. “We have to start creating more dangerous chances in front of goal.”
Bonaventure continues to look for their first home win of the season Sunday at 1:00 against Albany.
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