STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
The Canisius women’s lacrosse team moved to 7-0 in MAAC play, and clinched their third consecutive MAAC Regular Season Championship, in a 15-10 win over Fairfield Saturday afternoon from Rafferty Stadium in Fairfield, Conn.
Both teams entered Saturday’s contest undefeated in conference action (both 6-0), and battled back and forth for the majority of the afternoon. The Griffs were tied 6-6 at the half and 10-10 with 15 minutes remaining, before ultimately going on a 5-0 run to once again hold the MAAC regular season crown.
Junior Erica Evans led the Blue and Gold with seven points (3g, 4a), while sophomore Jourdan Roemer had a game-high four goals in the winning effort.
The game began with sophomore Tessa Chad rattling home a goal less than a minute in (29:24), with Fairfield responding to tie the contest at 1-1 at the 26:14 mark.
The Griffs would take a 2-1 lead on Roemer’s first goal of the afternoon at 18:55, but the Stags would hit their stride offensively, scoring three of the games next four goal to take a 4-3 lead at 13:36.
Chad would add her second of the contest to tie the game at 4-4 nearly four minutes later (9:35). Roemer and Evans would then add the games next two scores for a 6-4 Canisius lead with 6:54 remaining in the first half of play.
From there, Fairfield would score the final two goals of the half to tie the contest at 6-6 heading into the break.
Out of the break the teams would trade four goals apiece over the first fifteen minutes of the half to lock the score at 10. Scoring during the stretch were Roemer (2), Chad and senior Ashley Bull.
After Roemer tied the score at the 15:16 mark, the Golden Griffins never looked back, scoring the last five goals for the eventual 15-10 victory.
Evans added her second and third goals of the day to close the game, while juniors Jen Reininger, Lauren Smolensky and Allie Stewart also scored over the 5-0 run.
Gaining the win in net for the Griffs was junior goalkeeper Rebecca VanLaeken, picking up her 12th win of the year (12-4), while Fairfield goaltender Caleigh O’ Connor moved to 10-5 with the loss.
Canisius is now 12-4 after picking up the win and has now has now won 23 consecutive MAAC regular season games.
The Griffs will close regular season play with a Wednesday evening battle against rival Niagara University at 7:30 p.m. from the Demske Sports Complex, the team’s senior night.