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The Griffin

Men’s Lacrosse looks for steadier 2022 season

By: Connor Pohlman


After finishing the 2021 campaign 5–5, the Canisius men’s lacrosse team is hoping for a fresh start this season. Head coach Mark Miyashita announced team captains for the 2022 season on Monday morning.

Senior attackman Jacob Buck was named team captain for the upcoming campaign, while graduate student goalkeeper Matt Vavonese will serve as the primary alternate captain. For home games, senior defenseman Kevin Eells and senior midfielder John McCain will be the rotating alternates while senior midfielders Isaiah Ricketts and Trevor Folsom will wear the "A" on the road.

“These young men have been selected by their peers to lead the team this year and our staff is excited to help support them in their development as captains," Miyashita said. "Each of them brings unique qualities and experiences as student-athletes that will help contribute to our team dynamic for the season this spring.”


Ranking among the top 10 players in the MAAC in both assists (1.5/5th) and points (2.90/9th) per game, Buck tallied multiple points on seven occasions in 2021, highlighted by a season-high six points (3g, 3a) in a 12–10 victory at Siena. Vavonese appeared in seven games and made six starts between the pipes for the Griffs last season, posting a .510 save percentage and a 10.91 goals-against average.


Eells enters his senior season on Main Street having appeared in 21 games for the Blue & Gold, recording seven caused turnovers and four ground balls in those contests.

McCain begins his final season at Canisius having taken part in 28 games, recording 16 ground balls, three caused turnovers and one goal. During the 2020 season, McCain appeared in all five games played during the pandemic-shortened season, recording one goal along with four ground balls.

Ricketts garnered All-MAAC Second Team accolades after a 2021 campaign that saw him appear in all 10 games, recording 13 ground balls and four caused turnovers.

Folsom has taken part in nine games during his Canisius career, recording 15 face-off victories, four ground balls, one caused turnover and one assist.


Canisius kickoffs the 2022 season Feb. 12 with a noon contest at Hobart. The Griffs open the home portion of their schedule March 6 with a noon matchup against Cleveland State.

Many of the problems that plagued the Golden Griffins last year are ones that they can work to avoid this year. Talking with multiple players and coach Miyashita both last season and this year, some of the problems they are looking to fix are slow starts, letting the game get out of their control and not playing their brand of lacrosse.


With road trips to Michigan, Air Force and Vermont to name a few, the Golden Griffs will have plenty of opportunities to stake their claim on the road, in some hostile environments.

The saying Rome wasn’t built in a day is one that rings true in this case, and head coach Mark Miyashita will experience what this saying means, but building a culture for this team is one he hopes to expand on this season.


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