By Andrew Nowel, Sports Reporter
It hasn’t always been easy for senior goalkeeper Jack Petrie to get ready for a game and step onto the soccer field. Through all the struggles and adversity he has faced, Petrie remains confident in his and his team’s ability. Only a few games into the new season, Petrie has already proved that he can help the Griffs as the last line of defense when the results of the game are at stake.
Despite earning four years of varsity letters at Williamsville South High School, he didn’t play for his first two seasons at Canisius due to the Griffs having multiple goalkeepers in front of him who had more experience in college soccer. Last year though, Petrie made his collegiate debut early in the season against the Cleveland State Vikings, recording seven saves in the 4-3 loss. He continued to rack up the saves throughout the season, notching 10 starts and splitting playing time with now-former Griff Spencer Catalano. Petrie earned his first collegiate victory against the Central Connecticut Blue Devils, his only win of the season.
Heading into the 2024 season, Petrie was ready to take the starting job and help the Griffs wash away the 2023 season. The Griffs finished with a frustrating record of 2-14-1 last year, but both Petrie and Head Coach Michael Tanke seem to know how much potential this team has.
“Defense is a crucial part of the game,” said Petrie. “It’s not just the goalie or the defense, it’s all 11 people getting back; getting compact and doing that for the entire 90 minutes.”
“This season started in January with the arrival of three new players,” said Coach Tanke. “The spring is where this season really begins. In terms of what we’re trying to do, we’re trying to progress the whole group – trying to get better in every phase.”
The first three games of this season didn’t end in the Griffs favor, but last week, the Griffs were able to shut out both the Blue Devils and the VMI Keydets. Petrie made seven saves in the two contests, which earned him MAAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Even with the award, Petrie is still looking ahead at the beginning of conference play, as the Griffs close out their non-conference schedule.
“The whole team has come together better, which is something we didn’t do in the first couple of games,” said Petrie. “The whole team getting back to defend, the whole team going forward to attack; it’s really about that to be able to be successful in conference play.”
The Griffs will finish their three-game homestand on Saturday, Sept. 14, against the Saint Francis Red Flash at 3 p.m. at the Demske Sports Complex, before heading on the road to take on a Power Five school in the Syracuse Orange on Tuesday night, Sept. 17.
Photo courtesy of Tom Wolf
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