The Canisius College women's lacrosse team moved one step closer to earning a spot in the MAAC Tournament with a 10-8 victory over Iona on Friday. With the win, the Griffs improved to 8-8 on the season and 3-2 in MAAC play.

"It was a great character win," said Canisius head coach Scott Teeter. "We played a very disciplined game and we took care of business today. Now we are step closer to our goal of the MAAC Championship. We just need to take it one game at a time."

Junior Ashley Gray (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) led the Griffs with three goals, while senior Lauren Walsh (Auburn, N.Y.) also tallied three points on a goal and a pair of assists. Senior Whitney Card (Alton, Ontario) and junior Chelsea Martinez (Bethpage, N.Y.) each added two goals and freshmen Taylor Gray (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) and Emily Maguire (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) each netted a goal to round out the scoring for the Griffs.

"Marissa Brown played extremely well today," Teeter said. "She stepped up and led our team, maybe not in points but she led the team today."

Freshman Allison Daley (Peterborough, Ontario) recorded seven saves in goal to earn her eighth victory of the season.

The Griffs started the game with two early goals when Martinez and Maguire each netted a score in the first 3:47 of the game. However, the Iona defense would keep the Canisius offense in check for the rest of the half, allowing only one more goal and adding three scores of their own to head into intermission knotted at three.

The Gaels (6-10, 2-3 MAAC) scored two of the first three goals in the second half but the Griffs responded with a three-goal run. Card sparked the run with a free-position goal at the 19:38 mark and Martinez followed with an eight-meter goal of her own just over a minute later. Taylor Gray then gave the Griffs a two-goal lead, scoring an unassisted tally with 12:34 left in the game.

Iona responded with two goals to once again even the game but Card broke tie, scoring off a feed from Walsh with 7:53 left in the game. Ashley Gray scored her second goal of the afternoon with 3:32 left but Iona responded with a goal 20 seconds later to cut the lead to one.

Canisius would win the ensuing draw control but Iona caused a turnover and had a free-position attempt to tie the game. Daley recorded the save and the Griffs successfully cleared the ball. Ashley Gray was fouled and buried an eight-meter shot to seal the victory for Canisius.

The Griffs can clinch a spot in the MAAC Tournament with a victory over Manhattan on Sunday. First draw is scheduled for 10 a.m.

Game Notes: Walsh now has 99 assists for her career. Entering Friday, only 33 players in NCAA history had recorded 100 career assists … Gray now has 96 goals for her career and is just four goals shy of becoming the second Griff to record 100 career goals … Martinez moved into sixth place in school history with 67 career points … Canisius has won all four meetings with the Gaels.

2008-04-18