On what became a brisk Friday night in Poughkeepsie, Marist men’s soccer used their depth to shut down the Canisius Griffins, earning a convincing 4-1 win.
Marist’s 4-1 win was an encouraging sign for their depth moving forward. Three players chalked up their first goal of the season, with two of them being their first for the team.
Marist entered the game coming consecutive 2-1 losses, at Lehigh and Fairfield, both of which featured ample opportunities for Marist to win the match. The Red Foxes’ coaching staff made some adjustments to tonight’s lineup, and the results followed.
Sophomore forward Adam Rustami entered the starting 11 in the place of sophomore midfielder Kyle Evans, who was sidelined by a left knee injury. The second lineup change saw graduate student goalkeeper Jamie Lowell retake his place in the net after sophomore goalkeeper Dreni Idrizi started against Lehigh.
Substitutions were also a key part of the win tonight for Marist, with subs and new starters accounting for a goal and two assists.
Marist’s defense held firm for all 90 minutes, limiting Canisius to only three shots on goal and two corner kicks. The Griffins registered only seven total shots, a number reflected on the scoreboard. In contrast, Marist finished the match with 18 shots, including eight on goal and four goals scored.
The first big moment of the match came in the 28th minute, off the back of one of the new starters. Rustami worked his way through the Griffins’ defense before sliding a ball across the box where it was smashed home by senior forward Richard Morel. Rustami’s assist was his first of the year, and Morel’s goal was his fourth overall and second in two games.
“We gave it our all in practice and it showed in the game,” said Morel.
The Red Foxes had over a week to prepare for the match tonight, and it seems as though the preparation paid off.
Marist doubled their advantage 11 minutes later when junior midfielder Aidan Arber wrapped in a curling shot from outside the box, beating sophomore goalkeeper Kennan King. Arber had just come on as a substitute, his goal the result of another adjustment made by head coach Matt Viggiano.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” said Arber, whose celebration involved a few backflips. “It feels good to flip in the air.”
The first half ended with a two-goal Marist advantage, and the Red Foxes’ staff wanted to ensure their team did not let up.
“You’re up 2-0, find a way to drive a stake through their heart,” said Viggiano.
Marist started the second half hot, with freshman midfielder Caio Cavaletti getting his team’s third goal, as well as his first in a Red Fox shirt since coming to Marist from Brazil.
“I’m starting to receive feedback from the coaches and I’m starting to adjust to the style of college soccer [in the U.S.]. . . I’m excited for the future,” said Cavaletti.
Sophomore midfielder Arion Ulaj drove down the right-hand side and sent a cross into the box. The ball was furthered across the box by freshman strike Chris Verhuel to Cavaletti, who buried it into the net.
The bench did not let up there, with the Red Foxes’ fourth goal of the night also being scored by a substitute. Junior midfielder Jonathan Salguero bagged his first goal of the season with a tap-in to secure the win. His first goal of the season also marked the third of his career.
“It was special, a long time coming,” said Salguero.
The Red Foxes have a sizable break before their next game, a second consecutive MAAC game, at Quinnipiac on Oct. 19. For Marist, which has posted a 3-1 record at home, their next objective is to take their home dominance on the road, where they have so far sagged to a 1-5 record.
Edited by Luke Sassa
Photo by Jaylen Rizzo
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