STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
POUGHKEEPSIE — The Canisius women’s lacrosse team extended its unbeaten streak to seven games and has now won 21 straight games in regular season conference action, defeating Marist 18-6 Wednesday afternoon.
Sophomore Tessa Chad led the team with five goals, while junior Erica Evans (4g, 1a) and sophomore Jourdan Roemer (1g, 4a) also collected five points, as the Griffs picked up their 10th win of the year, moving to 10-4 overall, and a perfect 5-0 in MAAC action.
The Griffs used a 12-0 run during the second half to coast to the victory, leading by at least four goals for the final twenty minutes of the day.
The game began with a quick Golden Griffin goal by Evans at the 28:36 mark. With the goal, Evans moved into sole possession of second place on the Canisius career points list (204), passing former Griffs Carly Quinn.
The Red Foxes would score three of the games next four goals, two by Samantha Mehalick, for a 3-2 lead at 18:25.
The Blue and Gold quickly responded with three unanswered goals to reclaim the lead at 5-3 with 11:53 remaining in the first half. Scoring during the run were Chad (2) and junior Jen Reininger.
Marist would once again shift the momentum in their favor, tying the game at 5-5 at the 5:05 mark, before Evans added her second tally of the day at 3:59 to give the Griffs a one-goal advantage at the half (6-5).
The Red Foxes fought hard for the first six minutes of the second half, tying the game for the final time (6-6) at 24:47, before the Griffs took control of the match, going on an impressive 12-0 run over the final 23:29 of the contest.
Scoring over the dominating stretch were senior Ashley Bull, Chad (3), Evans (2), Reininger (2), Roemer, sophomore Brenna Shanahan, junior Lauren Smolensky and junior Allie Stewart.
The Griffs would hold the Red Foxes scoreless for the final 24:47 minutes of the day, giving junior goalkeeper Rebecca VanLaeken her tenth win of the year (10-4). Marist goalkeeper Abigail Witczak received the loss and is now 6-7 on the year.
Head Coach Scott Teeter’s Postgame Comments
“We struggled early out of the gate and had trouble playing as a collective unit. We had several opportunities to take a larger lead early on, but we didn’t capitalize on those chances.”
“We hit our stride in the second half, even in the first five minutes before the goals came, and really clicked on all cylinders. I thought we played a tremendous all around half, with Tessa and Jen really standing out for us today.”
“Rebecca played a solid game for us in net, she had a few goals she wished she could have back at the beginning of the game, but played tough and had a very good second half.”
The Griffs will return home this Saturday for a noon matchup against MAAC opponent Quinnipiac from the Demske Sports Complex.
