The Canisius College women's lacrosse team won its third-consecutive game with a 12-9 victory over Gannon at the Demske Sports Complex. With the victory, the Griffs improved to 3-3 on the season.

“I think our effort was there tonight,” said Canisius head coach Scott Teeter. “The key to the game was ground balls and us taking advantage of second and third opportunities. It was good to see a freshman in Emily Maguire step up and take control of the game at a key time. I also thought our defensive unit is finally playing like a group and it's starting to show in the results. On offense, we responded well to Gannon's different looks, which created some opportunities.”

Junior Ashley Gray (Balwinsville, N.Y.) led the Griffs with a season-best four goals. Senior Lauren Walsh (Auburn, N.Y.) and freshman Emily Maguire (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) both tallied three points on a pair of goals and an assist. Sophomore Marissa Brown (Syracuse, N.Y.) also netted two scores, while junior Chelsea Martinez (Bethpage, N.Y.) and freshman Carly Quinn (Orangeville, Ontario) each added a goal.

Freshman Allison Daley (Peterborough, Ontario) recorded nine saves in net to anchor the Canisius defense.

Neither team was able to open more than a one-goal advantage during the first half of play and the Griffs headed into intermission with a 4-3 lead. Gray tallied the first goal of the second frame to give Canisius a 5-3 lead. However, Gannon responded with two scores to knot the game with 24:31 remaining in the game.

Following Gannon's two scores, the Griffs would take control of the contest. Brown netted her second score of the evening on a free-position shot with 22:57, igniting a 7-1 Canisius run. Walsh scored her second goal of the evening 22 seconds later. Gannon would score the following goal but the Griffs responded with five goals to seal the victory. Maguire tallied both of her goals during the run, while Gray, Martinez and Quinn each added a score.

Gannon (3-1) would score the next three goals, pulling to within three with 3:30 remaining in the game but Daley would record a save late in the contest and the Griffs forced a turnover en route to the victory.

The Griffs outshot Gannon, 30-20, and forced 26 Lady Knights miscues while only committing 17 turnovers. Canisius also held a 26-8 advantage in ground balls to earn the victory.

Canisius looks to extend its winning streak to four games when it square off at Lehigh on Friday. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m.

Game Notes: The Lady Knights entered the game as the sixth-ranked Division II team … The Griffs won their third-consecutive game by three goals or fewer for the first time since the 2005 season … Maguire set a career high with three points, marking the third straight game she has set a personal best … Walsh has recorded a goal and an assist in each of the Griffs' first six games.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Gannon women's lacrosse team turned the ball over 26 times and suffered its first defeat of the season Tuesday night with a 12-9 loss at Division I Canisius. The Lady Knights are ranked sixth in NCAA Division II.

Tuesday's contest featured four ties and two lead changes. Neither team was able to get a lead of more than one goal in the first half. Canisius snapped a 3-3 tie on Marissa Brown's goal with 7:29 remaining in the first half. The Golden Griffins eventually went to halftime with the same 4-3 lead after neither team could dent the scoreboard in the final 7:29.

Gannon tied the contest at five after back-to-back goals from Taryn Millerd (Shortsville, N.Y./Midlakes) and Colleen Dixon (Lafayette, N.Y./Lafayette) in the first six minutes of the second half.

Canisius immediately responded with consecutive goals in the span of 22 seconds to regain the two-goal advantage. Following a Mary Eshenour (Waterloo, N.Y./Waterloo) goal, the Golden Griffins rolled off a decisive five-goal blitz during a span of 7:32.

Gannon did battle until the end, scoring the final three goals. Dixon's third goal of the evening with 3:30 remaining cut the deficit to 12-9. Unfortunately, the Lady Knights were unable to score again before the final horn sounded.

Dixon led the offensive unit with three goals. Eshenour and Millerd added two goals each. Kayla Nelson (Oswego, N.Y./Oswego) recorded one goal and one assist. Antonia Cianfrocco (Chittenango, N.Y./Chittenango) completed the scoring with one score. Shauna Hutchinson (Islip Terrace, N.Y./East Islip) made 13 saves in goal.

Gannon dropped to 3-1 with the loss. Canisius improved to 3-3. The Lady Knights return to action Friday, March 21 against ninth-ranked Queens (N.C.) at Gannon University Field. The home opener is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Box Score

2008-03-19