STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
BUFFALO – Canisius closes out the non-conference portion of its schedule Tuesday when it travels to Northeast Conference rival Robert Morris.
Opening faceoff between the Griffs (5-6) and Colonials (8-4) is slated for 7 p.m. at the Joe Walton Stadium in Moon Township, Pa.
Canisius (5-6) turns its focus to non-conference play for the final time this season after suffering an 11-10 loss to Siena Saturday at the Demske Sports Complex. Junior Connor Kearnan continues to pace the Canisius attack as he leads the team in goals (29), assists (18) and points (47). Kearnan begins Tuesday’s contest just three points away from becoming just the 15th player in school history to record 50 or more points in a season. Senior Jeff Edwards is second on the team in scoring with 30 points (12g, 18a). Edwards needs just three points to match former Canisius standout Nick LoCoco (2008-11) for 13th place on the program’s all-time scoring list (121). Junior Liam Ganzhorn has been in goal for all 11 games for Canisius this season. Ganzhorn ranks fourth in the MAAC in goals against average (10.90) and fifth in save percentage (.477). Canisius has truly been a second-half team this season as it has out-scored its opponents by a combined total of 66-53 in the second half of contests this season. The Griffs have been out-scored by a combined total of 70-53 in the first half of games during the 2016-17 campaign.
Brian Prunty scored with 6:43 remaining in the fourth quarter to break a 10-10 tie and lift Siena to an 11-10 victory over host Canisius in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s lacrosse action April 15 at the Demske Sports Complex. Canisius trailed 8-3 late in the second quarter before rattling off five unanswered goals to tie the game at 8-8 late in the third. The Saints regained their lead moments later, only to see the Griffs once again battle back to knot the score at 10-10. Prunty’s eventual game-winning goal served as the starting point for a wild final six minutes of regulation that saw the Griffs attempt seven shots, including a pair of tries in the final minute, but fail to record the equalizer. Junior Steven Coss scored three goals and added an assist to pace the Griffs. Senior Jeff Edwards dished out three assists while junior Ryan McKee recorded two goals and chipped in one assist. Junior keeper Liam Ganzhorn made seven saves for Canisius. Coss recorded his second career hat trick with his three-goal effort on Saturday. Sophomore Logan Monroe recorded his first career goal with his first-quarter tally. Edwards tallied three assists in a game for the third time this season and the eighth time in his career. Edwards also moved into sole possession of 14th on the program’s all-time scoring list with his three-point effort on Saturday (118).
Robert Morris (8-4) heads into Tuesday’s matchup eying a return to the win column after its four-game winning streak was halted with a 13-7 setback at No. 18 Virginia on April 11. Matt Schmidt highlights a balanced Colonials attack that features four players with 25 or more points this season as Schmidt lead the squad in both goals (23) and points (30). Tyson Gibson serves as Robert Morris’ top playmaker, dishing out 12 assists to go along with his 13 goals as he is one of three Colonials players with 25 points this season. In goal, Alex Heger has started all 12 games for Robert Morris. He ranks sixth nationally in save percentage (.586) and is 25th among all Division I keepers in goals against average (9.5).
In a series that dates back to the 2005 season, Canisius holds a 5-4 edge over Robert Morris. After the Griffs won the first five meetings, the Colonials have held the edge of late, winning each of the last four meetings. After a three-year hiatus, the teams renewed their series last April at Demske. The Colonials took that matchup, 15-6. Canisius holds a 2-2 mark against Robert Morris in Pittsburgh. The Griffs have been on the losing end in each of their last two visits to the Steel City, last posting a road victory over the Colonials with a 16-15 overtime victory during the 2008 season.
Canisius returns its focus to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference race Friday when it travels to New Jersey for a 7 p.m. contest at league-leading Monmouth. The matchup between the Griffs and Hawks will be shown live on ESPN3.
