Four Canisius College women's lacrosse student-athletes were honored by the IWLCA on Friday for their work off of the field during the 2009 season. Seniors Shannon Callahan (Orchard Park, N.Y.) and Shelby Grigg (Watertown, N.Y.) plus juniors Marissa Brown (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Alison Rusak (Orangeville, Ontario) were each named to the IWLCA Academic Squad.

Callahan enjoyed her best season during her senior year. She started all 18 games and recorded eight points, five goals and three assists for the Griffs. Grigg played in eight games as a defender, totaling four ground balls and two caused turnovers.

A pair of All-MAAC Second Team selections, Brown and Rusak both anchored the Canisius defense in 2009. Brown recorded 20 points and 17 goals and also led the Griffs with 50 ground balls and 49 caused turnovers. Rusak started all 18 games and recorded 24 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers.

To earn the academic accolade, nominees needed at least junior standing and a GPA of 3.5. Canisius' four selections to the team are tied for most in the MAAC.

Canisius returns 17 letterwinners and nine starters from the 2009 team that finished second in the MAAC and earned back-to-back conference tournament appearances for the first time in school history.

2009-09-04