WLAX first MAAC victory breaks winless history against SHU

By Paige Apps, Sports Reporter

Sophomore Meg Previdi found the back of the net in the last second of the game to bring the women’s lacrosse team to victory against Sacred Heart. The 9–8 win is the first MAAC victory of the season for the Griffs.

The matchup between Canisius and Sacred Heart served as the third meeting between the teams, as well as the inaugural MAAC matchup after SHU joined the conference this past July. The Pioneers were undefeated in the series until Wednesday, where the overall count now sits at 2–1 in their favor.

“I think back when we used to play them, that was the very very start of the program. So much has changed in that time,” Head Coach Russell Allen commented. “I think it was a great way for [us] to kind of welcome one of the new teams into the conference and show them how gritty this conference can be.”

Canisius has now played in four straight one-goal games, now the longest such streak in program history. This is also the fourth game in a row where the final goal of the contest was scored in the final minute of regulation or overtime. 

“I think with such a young team, it’s easy to put your head down when you’ve been in those moments and haven’t been successful. For us to show up and give them their first conference loss of the year, it felt really good for the team,” said Allen.

Over the course of non-conference play, attitude and confidence has been making a recurring appearance in conversation with the head coach, and it’s quite clear that the team has found their rhythm as they enter conference action.

“I think that [Meg Previdi] has really been working through directing some young players, and she’s young herself. It’s been a great opportunity to see her step up to the plate and see her leadership skills grow, and I think wanting that last shot was a perfect example,” Allen stated when talking about the growth in leadership positions and the tight-knit community on the team.

Not only was the offense a key in the victory over the Pioneers, but the defense played a key role as well. Sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Licardi was credited with seven saves during the rainy match, and the defense as a whole held SHU to only eight goals allowed.

“I thought that Ava Pezzimenti and Harper Weatherdon were incredible. They really made the stops when we needed them, so I definitely want to give them a lot of credit for this outcome,” Allen said when commenting on the defense’s role.

For the Blue and Gold, action still continues amidst the celebration of the first conference win. The team hits the road for a matchup against Marist on Saturday in Poughkeepsie, NY before returning home next Wednesday against Fairfield. The matchup against the Stags serves as the annual Morgan’s Message game.

Photo courtesy of Tom Wolf