The Canisius College men’s soccer team survived a last-minute goal in regulation and rallied to earn a 2-1 double overtime victory against visiting Siena on Wednesday. With the win, the Griffs improve to 6-4-2 on the season and 2-1-1 in MAAC play, while the Saints drop to 5-6-0 and 1-2-0 against league foes.

Junior Asani Samuels lifted the Griffs to the victory with his second overtime goal of the season. Senior Andrew Incho slipped a loose ball to Samuels at the edge of the box and Samuels snuck it past the Siena keeper to his left for the game-winning tally in the 106th minute.

“I was very pleased with our performance for the majority of the game,” said Canisius head coach Dermot McGrane. “We learned, however, that we need to play for an entire 90 minutes and can’t afford to switch off for even a second. When you do, that’s when you get punished. Once again, I’m pleased with how the team rallied in overtime and put the game away. Today was an important win for us.”

The schools played to a scoreless opening period but the momentum swung the way of Canisius early in the second. Siena’s Mike Matera was whistled for two yellow cards just 1:47 apart, giving the Griffs a one-man advantage in the 56th minute of play. Canisius was quickly able to take advantage and were awarded a penalty kick after sophomore Chris Berardi was taken down in the box. Senior Will Hudson calmly finished from the spot for his team-leading fifth goal of the season in the 65th minute of play.

The Saints, however, did not go away quietly and picked up their game following the Griffs tally. Siena was finally rewarded for their pressure in the 89th minute when Matt Needham scored. With just 1:16 remaining in regulation, Needham headed home a cross from six yards out to knot the game at one and set up Samuels' heroics in the overtime.

Siena finished the contest with a 19-15 advantage in shots and a 6-3 edge in corner kicks. Senior Ryan Arvin earned the win in goal for the Griffs, matching his career high with six saves (including three in the overtimes). Adam Myers also had six saves in defeat for the Saints.

The Griffs look to carry over their momentum in MAAC play on Saturday with a road contest at Quinnipiac. The schools are set to meet at 4 p.m.

Game Notes: The Griffs improved to 3-0-2 in overtime games this season … Two of Samuels’ three goals in 2013 have been scored in overtime … Canisius scored the first goal of a game for just the second time in 12 contests this season … The Griffs have now scored 16 of their 19 goals this season after the halftime intermission … Hudson has converted 4-of-5 penalty kicks this season … The home team has won the last seven meetings between the two MAAC schools.