The Red Foxes’ season ended in Buffalo, New York, in the MAAC Quarterfinals against Canisius University with a 1-0 loss to the Golden Griffins.
After holding the Golden Griffins to a two-goal shutout win on the team’s senior day in Poughkeepsie two weeks ago, the Red Foxes failed to find the back of the net this time around. Canisius scored a goal in the first half, and the Red Foxes did not respond, ending their season.
Marist finished the regular season with the program’s most wins since 2019, posting a 6-7-5 record.
Despite the one-goal victory, possession remained split between the Red Foxes and Golden Griffins.
Senior goalie Maddy Catalanotti returned to the net for the first time since the team’s previous matchup with Canisius, where she suffered an injury in the final minutes of play.
Catalanotti, along with defenders freshman Jiji Sweiss and senior Julia Loncar, anchored a strong Marist backline, forcing several key turnovers.
On the offensive side of the ball, sophomore forward Gabby Tirado, who scored in the team’s previous win against Canisius, accounted for both of the Red Foxes’ two shots in the first half. Tirado ends her sophomore campaign with seven goals, totaling 14 total points.
The Golden Griffins created more opportunities offensively, with Marist struggling to create anything on Canisius’ end of the field. Within the first 45 minutes, the Griffs tallied five shots, finding the back of the net near the halfway point.
Canisius scored 20 minutes into the first half; senior forward Skylar Cornell sent a rainbow behind-the-back cross high into the box. Meeting the head of sophomore forward Azaria Fagan, rushing the box and placing the Golden Griffins on the scoreboard.
The header would be Fagan’s fifth goal of the season, the most goals by a player on Canisius this year, followed by junior midfielder Jessica Whitaker (four).
With 15 minutes left in play, the Marist offense gained a spark, truly testing the Golden Griffins’ defense for the first time in the second half. The entire backline for Canisius played all 90 minutes in the quarterfinals win, allowing seven shots and one corner from the Red Foxes.
Marist found its offensive legs too late in the second half to put itself on the scoreboard. Canisius fought hard, keeping the ball in play and wasting time in the corners of the field.
The one-goal loss in the win-or-go-home MAAC tournament sends the Red Foxes back to Poughkeepsie, turning their attention to next year.
The first-round playoff loss marks the last game for many key Red Fox players, senior forward Jillian Garcia and senior captains Olivia Lindsay, Loncar and Catalanotti.Marist last reached the MAAC semifinals in 2018. With a promising future in the young roster, the Red Foxes enter the off-season with a core foundation for next year.
Edited by Ben Leeds
Graphic by Jaylen Rizzo
Photo by Celia Green
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