Canisius Men’s Lacrosse sits atop MAAC standings

By Ryan Patota, Sports Reporter

The men’s lacrosse team handed Manhattan their first conference loss of the season in an 8–7 victory at home on Saturday. The win improves the team’s record to 4–1 in MAAC play, tied for first in the conference with Sacred Heart, a team the Griffs beat earlier this season.

The Jaspers jumped out to an early 2–0 lead, but goals from freshman Peter Biglin and senior Patrick Mitchell cut Manhattan’s lead to 3–2 entering halftime. A 4–1 run by the Golden Griffins in the third quarter gave Canisius the lead, and Mitchell’s hat trick goal in the fourth quarter proved to be the game winner. After Manhattan’s Liam Peabody scored two goals in the final three minutes of play to bring the deficit to one, the Jaspers had a chance to tie the game. Senior goalie Tommy Kunz made the game-ending save with 22 seconds remaining to preserve the 8–7 victory for the Griffs. 

Junior Micah Hanson went 13-for-18 on face-offs, while senior Jaxon Fridge tallied one goal and two assists. Kunz became just the second goalie in program history to reach 500 career saves. 

With Hanson’s 10 ground balls, he became the program’s new career leader in the category with 331, surpassing Head Coach Mark Miyashita’s career total of 329. “I am very proud of him, and it is a pretty unique opportunity as a first-hand experience to see the work that [Micah] puts in behind the scenes to be able to break the record,” said Miyashita. 

In all four of their conference victories this year, the Griffs have won by two goals or less. Coach Miyashita explains that the “resilience from the team with guys trusting each other with the adjustments made in game and sticking to the game plan” is what has allowed the team to stay ahead in these back-and-forth games. 

The men’s lacrosse team will look to continue their success on the road in Emmitsburg, MD, where they will face Mount St. Mary’s this Saturday at noon.

Photo courtesy of Chloe Breen