The Canisius College men's lacrosse team scored 10 first-half goals to defeat VMI, 12-8, on Saturday afternoon. With the win the Griffs clinch at least a share of the MAAC Regular Season title. Canisius also extended its school-record winning streak to eight games and its eighth win of the season also set a new school record. The Griffs are now 8-3 during the 2008 campaign and a perfect 7-0 in conference play.

Senior Michael Blocho (pictured) led the Griffs with five points on three goals and two assists. Sophomore John Minieri set a career high with three goals, while freshmen Greg Michael added two scores of his own. Sophomores Michael Benzinger and Alex Caldiero each recorded a goal and an assist, while senior Dave Schaefer and freshman Adam Jones also posted a goal to round out the scoring for Canisius.

Senior Chris Courteau recorded four saves for the Griffs. Sophomore Matt Barkas picked up a team-best eight ground balls to help anchor the defense.

The Griffs dominated the first half of play to open a seven-goal halftime advantage. VMI (5-7, 4-2 MAAC) tallied the first goal of the game 3:29 into the contest but its only lead of the day would be short lived. Michael netted his first score of the afternoon just seven seconds later, igniting an 8-0 run for the Griffs. Schaefer gave Canisius the lead for good with 9:44 left in the first period and then Blocho added a score to give the Griffs a 3-1 advantage at the end of one.

Canisius would pick up in the second period were it left off in the first, scoring the first five goals. Blocho, Caldiero, Michael and Benzinger all scored before Minieri netted his first goal of the season. The Keydets scored two quick goals but Minieri and Jones each added a tally in the final two minutes of the half as the two teams headed into intermission with Canisius leading, 10-3.

VMI would fight back in the second half but the seven-goal deficit proved to be too much. The Keydets scored the first four goals of the half to cut Canisius' lead to three, 10-7. However, Blocho and Minieri both scored a goal to seal the Griffs eighth-straight victory.

The Griffs take a break from conference action with a home game against Hobart. Game time at the Demske Sports Complex is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Game Notes: The Griffs also won a share of the regular season title in 2006 when they completed the conference season with a 6-2 record ... Canisius clinched only its second winning season in school history, joining the 2001 team, who went 7-6, to accomplish the feat ... The Griffs won seven games during a season on two occasions (2001 and 2006) ... Canisius went a perfect 4-0 in road conference games. The Griffs had never won more than two road conference games prior to this season ... Blocho moved up to 12th in school history with 109 career points and is now tied for 10th with 82 career goals ... Freshman Nick LoCoco tallied two assists and raised his season total to 30, tied for the second most in school history.