By Isabella Custodi, Sports Reporter
Senior Emma Oliphant secured two wins for the Canisius’ women’s soccer team last week against St. Bonaventure and Manhattan, bringing their record to 4-1-1 overall on the season.
On Sept. 11, the Griffs faced St. Bonaventure in Olean, NY. Junior Lizzy Harkness scored the first goal for Canisius in the third minute of play. The score stayed 1-0 until the 70th minute when Oliphant scored her first goal of the season, ensuring the 2-0 win for Canisius and giving fans deja-vu from Oliphant’s first goal of last season, which was also scored against St. Bonaventure.
Oliphant was thrilled about her performance: “It’s my first goal of the season and that goal secured our win that night. I was waiting for this moment these last few games and was due for a goal.”
The Griffs then faced Manhattan in Buffalo on Sept. 14, where Oliphant scored the winning goal of the game 86 minutes in. She ended the game with a total of three shots and two shots on goal.
Oliphant says the reason she was so successful with both goals was keeping her cool and staying patient: “It was important to stay composed with the ball and not try to force anything. We were in possession most of that half and had some good opportunities, so I knew there would be more to come in those last five. It was important for someone to really take charge and put the ball in the back of the net.”
She thanked her teammates for their support during each and every game, and said that they motivate her to do the best she can even when things don’t go her way. Her teammates show her she’s capable of scoring, which she was able to do in both games.
Oliphant was named to the All-MAAC First Team for her junior season, and her career high in goals in a single game happened last year against St. Peter’s, where she scored two goals. Oliphant wants to continue her success this year and build off the momentum she’s had from these past two games.
“Scoring more has always been a top goal of mine; I think just learning when to go for goal myself and when to pass it will be the difference between me scoring more this season compared to others,” says Oliphant. She also said that winning the MAAC is a goal for her and her team.
The women’s soccer team will be back in action on Sept. 21 against St. Peter’s in Jersey City, NJ.
Photo Courtesy of Tom Wolf
Comments