An efficient offense and opportunistic defense powered Canisius to another rivalry series victory over St. Joe's.Â
Before a crowd of more than 2,000, the Crusaders surged in the second half Saturday to charge to a 39-22 road victory over the Marauders at the Robert T. Scott Athletic Complex.
The win was Canisius' 16th in the last 17 games against St. Joe's. The all-time rivalry series record for the Crusaders is now 46-48-3.
"None of that matters," Crusaders coach
Kraig Kurzanski '84 said of previous years' dominance by Canisius. "I'm not a fool. I know history. … But I don't really put much into that. It's our time. It's these kids' time. So they have to enjoy the moment."
"It's awesome man, playing Joe's is something else," Canisius senior Mike Doctor '23 said. "I've been playing for four years, and nothing is better than beating Joe's."
The win moved the Crusaders to 3-1 on the season, which continues Friday night in a much-anticipated game at perennial public school power Lancaster.
"We played Ohio, we played Rochester, we played a fair Maritime team, and a really good Joe's team," said Kurzanski, referring to the Crusaders' loss at Walsh Jesuit of Ohio and wins at Aquinas and Section VI power Maritime/Health Sciences. "You're in some tough moments in games like this, and easy games, you don't get those moments. Maybe that's why we overcame those moments today in this game, and Joe's didn't. Because they haven't been in that game yet."
St. Joe's entered the game 3-0 after victories at Erie High of Pennsylvania and two home victories over Canadian programs St. Michael's College School and Upper Canada College; the Marauders will also host another Canadian school in St. Andrew's College. The Marauders next play its first of three games against Monsignor Martin Athletic Association Division B teams when it heads to St. Mary's on Saturday; St. Joe's will also play Cardinal O'Hara on Oct. 8 and Bishop Timon-St. Jude in its regular season finale on Oct. 28. St. Joe's plays at St. Francis on Oct. 15. Â
Canisius' other remaining opponents include at Cathedral Prep of Erie, Pa. (which St. Francis beat in Athol Springs Friday night), at Masillon of Ohio, home vs. Erie (Pa.) High and home vs. St. Francis (on Oct. 22).Â
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Game coverage:Â
Jonah Bronstein of WIVB-TV Ch. 4
Clevis Murray of The Buffalo News
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