By Stephen Lapage, Sports Reporter
After falling to Queens University last week, the women’s lacrosse team went on the road again to try and go back in the win column. They traveled to Mount Pleasant, Michigan to play Central Michigan for the first time in program history.
Central Michigan started the game scoring two goals early to give the Chippewas the lead. Canisius bounced back and scored six unanswered goals to end the first quarter six to two. Seniors Caroline Netti, Riley Davis, Grace Harner, graduate student Paige Stachura and freshman Maddie Fitzgerald all contributed to the scoring, with Davis having two of the Griffs goals.
The Chippewas got back on the score sheet with the first goal of the second quarter, but senior Maddie Mazur was able to score right after to again establish a four-goal lead for the Griffs. The game would head into halftime with the Griffs leading 7–3.
Netti came out of halftime firing, as she scored the first two goals in the half and extended the Griffs’ lead to six goals. The Chippewas were able to score back-to-back goals right after to cut the lead to four goals again. Senior Avery Penoyer was able to score with five minutes left, and Stachura was able to score her second of the game. Central Michigan scored again, but Stachura was able to net one before the end of the quarter, giving the Griffs a six-goal lead going into the fourth quarter.
Sophomore Meg Hiltz started the scoring off in the last quarter of play, as Davis and Fitzgerald were each able to score another goal as well. The Chippewas were able to score three straight goals to end the game, but the Griffs held on to win 15–9.
Sophomore Jody Chu picked up her second win of the season with six saves in the performance before being pulled to give freshman Olivia Licardi her first collegiate minutes. Netti, Davis and Stachura all led the Griffs in scoring, as they each had a hat trick in the contest.
After falling behind last game against Queens, the Griffs worked on battling back and keeping a clear head going into this game, according to Netti.
“[Central Michigan] got the first few goals pretty quickly in the game. I think that was a true test to what we've worked on and we are able to battle back, and we went on a six-goal run in the first quarter,” Netti said. “If we continue this, I think in future games it will help us feel more confident and comfortable.”
This is the second hat trick Netti has had this year, but she credits her teammates a lot for her offensive play. “I try staying present and trust myself, but we also have a deep bench and I know they have my back” she said. “I think it's just kind of an overall team dynamic, where we all work together [and] know what our strengths are.”
The Griffs will have their home opener on Sat. March 2nd at 11 a.m. as they play Detroit Mercy. The team will also host Le Moyne on Wed. March 5, Canisius’s first time playing the program since Le Moyne transitioned to division one. This game is set to have a 4 p.m. face off.
Photo courtesy of Jack Reeber
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