CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
The Canisius women’s lacrosse team will be playing in its seventh consecutive MAAC Championship game this Sunday, after gaining a 16-6 win over Niagara University Friday evening from the Demske Sports Complex.
Junior Erica Evans commanded the Griffs offense once again, having game highs in goals (4), assists (2), points (6), ground balls (6) and caused turnovers (4). The 2017 MAAC Midfielder of the year surpassed her own school record for points in a single season (91) in the win, with her now 97 points also being a MAAC Conference single-season record.
Junior Jen Reininger and Sophomore Tessa Chad added to the offensive outpour, recording three goals each. Reininger surpassed the 40-goal mark in the winning effort, while Chad reached the 50-goal plateau for the first time in her career.
The Griffs controlled the game from the onset, scoring the games first five goals. Niagara made the score 5-1 at the 17:54 mark, but the Griffs would go on an 8-0 run to close the half with an impressive 13-1 lead.
Evans led all scorers with four goals in the half, while Chad (2), Reininger (2), sophomore Jourdan Roemer (2) and junior Lauren Smolensky (2) also added multiple goals.
Out of the halftime break, Chad added her third goal of the contest to extend the Blue and Gold’s lead to 14-1 at 26:26 of the second.
Niagara battled down the stretch, scoring five of the games last seven goals for the 16-6 final.
Also scoring for the Golden Griffins in the win was junior Allie Stewart, who registered two tallies.
Junior Rebecca VanLaeken earned the win between the pipes for Canisius, and now holds a MAAC-best 14-4 overall record. Niagara senior Andrea Francisco took the loss in her final career game, finishing her season with a 9-10 record.
The Griffs move to 14-4 overall this season, and have now won 11 straight games.
Head Coach Scott Teeter’s Postgame Comments
“We got off to a tremendous start, and played a strong all-around game from start to finish.”
“We have multiple threats on offense, so when you try to key on someone we have others that can step up. We distribute the ball really well, and its very unselfish play. It’s really good to see and makes me very proud to coach this team.”
“They do it for the alumni, they paved the way, built this program, and its great to make it to the Championship game for a seventh straight time.”
“We need to rest up tonight, get a light workout tomorrow and come back and play our game. We have to be ready, we know Fairfield will bring their best.”
Game Notes • The Griffs move on to the MAAC Championship game for the seventh consecutive season, and will look for their sixth MAAC Championship in the seven tries when they face Fairfield Sunday.
• The Griffs 11 straight wins date back to March 5. They will look to tie the school record of 12 straight wins with a victory Sunday.
• With her four goals, Evans reached the 70 goal plateau for the second time in her career.
• Senior Ashley Bull recorded a game-high nine draw controls, her second highest total of the season.
• Reininger extended her goal streak to 18 games with her three markers.
• The nations leader in shot percentage, Reininger continued her sharp-shooting, scoring on three of her four shots.
• Five Griffs recorded at least three points in the win, Evans (6), Chad (3), Reininger (3), Roemer (3) and Stewart (3).
• The Golden Griffins made over half of their free position attempts, going 5-for-8.
• Canisius won the draw control battle 14-8.
• The team also did well on clear attempts, successfully clearing 10-of-12 attempts.
• The Griffs are now 13-0 this year when scoring 15 goals-or-more.
Up NextThe Griffs will face Fairfield this Sunday in the 2017 MAAC Championship Game at Noon from the Demske Sports Complex, a rematch of the 2015 MAAC Championship where the Griffs were defeated 9-7. The Griffs have twice beaten the Stags in the Championship game, in 2011 (13-8) and 2012 (15-11).
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