The Canisius College women's lacrosse team earned a spot at the 2008 MAAC Championship with a 15-12 victory over Manhattan on Sunday. The Griffs wrapped up the regular season with a 9-8 overall record and 4-2 conference mark.
“We took care of business and we had a great weekend,” said Canisius head coach Scott Teeter. “We are looking forward to next weekend where we will attempt to reach another one of our goals this season.”
The Griffs, who are making their second trip in school history to the MAAC Tournament, will be the third-seeded team and will face second-seeded Marist in the semifinals. The Red Foxes edged Canisius, 15-14, in the team's regular season meeting.
Freshman Taylor Gray (pictured) led the Griffs' charge for a MAAC Championship berth, setting career highs with six points, four goals and two assists. Senior Lauren Walsh and freshman Emily Maguire each tallied three goals and an assist for the Griffs. Walsh's assist was the 100th of her career. She becomes the 34th player in NCAA history to record her 100th career assist.
Junior Chelsea Martinez registered a hat trick, while senior Whitney Card and sophomore Brett Poissant both recorded a goal and an assist. Freshman Carly Quinn paced the Griffs' attack with three assists.
Freshman Allison Daley recorded four saves in goal and added two caused turnovers.
The Griffs dominated the first half of play and opened a six-goal halftime advantage. Canisius scored the first five goals of the game, led by Martinez and Walsh, who both netted two scores. The Griffs' defense kept the Manhattan offense scoreless for the first 22:42 of the game and allowed only one goal during the half, a season-best for the Canisius defense.
The Lady Jaspers (7-6, 2-4 MAAC) fought back in the second half but the six-goal halftime deficit proved to be too much. Manhattan scored 11 second-half goals but could not pull any closer than three goals. Gray recorded five of her six points during the second half of play to help the Griffs clinch a spot in the 2008 MAAC Tournament.
Canisius now turns its attention toward the postseason. The Griffs and Red Foxes will meet on Friday in the semifinals. Game time on the campus of Iona is set for 3 p.m.
Game Notes: The Griffs also participated in the 2006 MAAC Tournament, advancing to the championship game before losing to Le Moyne ... Canisius defeated Manhattan for just the second time in 12 attempts ... Walsh has also posted 95 career goals and is five goals shy of becoming the second Griff to record 100 career goals.
