STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
BUFFALO — Coming off of a 15-5 win over Manhattan last Saturday, the Griffs host the Iona Gaels in their second conference contest of the year. The Blue and Gold are 1-1 at home this season, picking up a 23-12 win over Duquesne in their last home match on March 5. Canisius is 6-4 overall through two full months of action, riding a three-game win streak where they have outscored their opponents 56-27.
Saturday’s game marks the 13th time the teams have faced one another, with the Griffs going a perfect 12-0 all-time against the Gaels. The Griffs won last year’s contest handily, by a score of 16-3. Five different Golden Griffins had double digit goal marks in the win, including junior Erica Evans (6), sophomore Tessa Chad (3), junior Lauren Smolensky (2) and sophomore Jourdan Roemer (2).
The Griffs are led offensively by Evans, who has recorded 33 goals on 44 points through the team’s first 10 games. Evans ranks 18th nationally in goals and 19th in goals per game (3.30). Evans has recorded at least four goals and seven points in three straight games. Junior transfer Jen Reininger has scored a goal in each of her 10 games with the Griffs. Chad has also excelled on the offensive side of the ball, with three straight games scoring three goals. Smolenksy has recorded at least one point in each of her last nine games. Roemer has recorded six points in two of her last three games. The Griffs lead the MAAC in several statistical categories, with Evans leading the league in goals (33), points (44) and goals per game (3.30), Smolensky leads the league with 20 assists and VanLaeken leads the MAAC in save pct (.496), saves (111) and ground balls per game (3.30).
Iona will be playing in their second MAAC contest of the season, losing to Niagara on March 26, 11-9. The Gaels have three wins this season against Wagner, Central Connecticut and Sacred Heart. The team was also shutout by Holy Cross on Feb. 18, 11-0. Pamela Giordano leads the Gaels in goals (22) and points (24). Giordano has scored in 8-of-10 games this season. Iona goalkeeper Shannon McCaffrey is 2-5 with a 12.14 GAA and a .444 save pct. The Gaels have been flagged for the most yellow cards in the MAAC this season (25), and rank sixth nationally in the category.
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