STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Canisius women’s lacrosse team wraps up non-conference play Sunday, as it squares off against the University at 1 p.m.
The Griffs and Wolverines met for the first time a year ago, with Michigan claiming a 13-11 victory. Junior Eric Evans recorded a game-high six points on five goals and an assist in the loss.
The Golden Griffins head into this year’s matchup with a 4-4 record. They are coming off of an impressive offensive performance, earning a 23-12 win over Duquesne Wednesday afternoon from the Demske Sports Complex.
Canisius is 3-2 on the road this season (0-1 in neutral site contests), and is 1-1 at home after the win over Duquesne. The Griffs used a collective effort in the victory, as eight different members of the Blue and Gold recorded goals. Evans posted a game-high seven points on five goals and two assists, while sophomore Jourdan Roemer and junior Allie Stewart each had six points on four goals and two assist. Evans reached two milestones in the victory, moving to sixth on the Griffs’ all-time goals list (134) and eighth on the team’s all-time points list (168). Junior Rebecca VanLaeken leads all Division I goalies with 91 saves. She has started all eight games for the Griffs and holds a 4-4 record. Junior Lauren Smolensky ranks fifth in the nation in assists with 17, and has added five goals. Four different Griffs have posted 14 or more goals, Evans (24), sophomore Tessa Chad (17), Roemer (15) and junior Jen Reninger (14).
Michigan is 1-6 to begin the season and has yet to win a game at home, going 0-4. The Wolverines lost at Oregon 11-8 on opening day, and have losses against two ranked opponents, No. 8 Notre Dame (12-5) and No. 17 Stanford (15-10). In its most recent game Friday, Michigan fell to High Point 13-12. Anna Schueler leads the Wolverines with 20 points (11g, 9a), while Jess Angerman has a team-high 12 goals (15p). Alli Kothari has started five of Michigan’s seven games, posting a 11.61 GAA, and owns a 1-6 record.
The one and only meeting between the teams came a season ago, with the Griffs falling to Michigan 13-11. The Golden Griffins are 1-10 all-time against Big Ten opponents, winning 11-10 over Ohio State on March 1, 2014.
The Griffs will have nearly two weeks to prepare for MAAC play, with their next game coming on the road against Manhattan on March 25 at 4 p.m.
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