The Canisius College men’s soccer team lost its home opener to UMass Lowell on Sunday afternoon, 3-1. The Griffs are now 1-2-0 on the season, while the Riverhawks improve to 1-3-0.

“It’s hard when you play relatively well and lose,” said Canisius head coach Dermot McGrane. “We created a lot of chances to score early in the game and if we are able to put one or two of them away, it changes the complexion of the game. We need to understand when we have a lot of offensive pressure, we can’t leave ourselves exposed and give away easy chances on the other end.

The Riverhawks netted the first two goals of the game to take a lead they would not relinquish. Eric Martin got past the Canisius defense and finished from 15 yards out in the ninth minute. Homero Morais then converted a penalty kick in the 39th minute for a 2-0 lead at the intermission.

Despite the 2-0 deficit at the half, Canisius controlled possession throughout the first 45 minutes. The Griffs held a 14-9 advantage in shots but the Riverhawks’ Chris Maierle recorded eight first-half saves.

In the second stanza, Martin netted his second goal of the day off a corner kick in the 75th minute but sophomore Nicoló Baudo responded for Canisius just two minutes later. The sophomore midfielder made a number of nice moves to get past Riverhawk defenders before volleying a shot into the back of the net from close range. Sophomore defender Alex De Carolis posted an assist on the tally.

The Griffs nearly added another tally just two minutes later but senior Will Hudson’s shot was kept out of the back of the net from an UMass Lowell defender, the second team save for the Riverhawks on the afternoon. UMass Lowell was able to hold on for the win from there to earn the 3-1 victory.

Canisius outshot the Riverhawks, 26-11, on the afternoon and held an 11-3 edge in corner kicks. Maierle finished with 12 saves to earn the win in net.

The Griffs return to action on Wednesday with a road contest at cross-town rival Buffalo. Game time is set for 7 p.m.