Women's Lacrosse 2/20/2009 5:00:00 AM Canisius College Athletics

Women's Lacrosse Welcomes Boston College for Home Opener

The Golden Griffin women's lacrosse team returns to Buffalo to face Boston College in the team's home opener. Canisius is back after splitting two games in Denver to open the 2009 campaign, falling to the 19th-ranked Pioneers, 15-7, and defeating Fresno State, 20-1. The Eagles are playing their first game of the season on Saturday.

LAFFEY MATCHES SCHOOL RECORD
? Sophomore attack Brianne Laffey has quickly established herself as a suitable replacement for first-team All-MAAC honoree Lauren Walsh, who graduated following the 2008 season with a conference-record 103 career assists.
? Laffey matched Walsh's school record for assists in a game with six helpers against Fresno State. Walsh set the school record in 2008 against Howard.
? Laffey has also proved she is a capable of finding the back of the cage. In the season opener versus nationally-ranked Denver, the sophomore tallied her first career hat trick.
? In just two games this season, Laffey has more than doubled her offensive output from her rookie campaign. She has posted nine points on three goals and six assists this season after totaling four points in 2008.

GRAY JOINS CENTURY CLUB
? In the Griffs' opener against No. 19 Denver, senior midfielder Ashley Gray became a member of a very exclusive club at Canisius.
? Gray tallied two goals and became just the second player in school history to notch her 100th career goal. Former teammate Whitney Card scored 137 goals from 2005 to 2007.
? Gray followed her season-opening performance with a career-best game against Fresno State. The senior set a career high with nine points, matching personal bests with six goals and three assists, in Canisius' 20-1 victory.
? Gray leads the team with 11 points and eight goals during the 2009 season.
? For her career, Gray ranks third in school history with 150 career points plus second with 106 career goals and 44 career assists.

DALEY STRONG FROM THE START
? Sophomore goalkeeper Allison Daley looks primed for another strong season at Canisius.
? In the season opener, Daley stopped 17 shots against No. 19 Denver, the third-most saves by a Griff in a single contest. Daley set the school record last season with 19 saves against Syracuse. Daley followed by stopping all three shots she faced in a win over Fresno State.
? Daley set another school record as a rookie, setting the program's standard with 174 saves.
? This season, Daley owns a goals against average of 8.53 and a save percentage of .571.

CANISIUS - BOSTON COLLEGE SERIES HISTORY
? The Griffs and Eagles are meeting for the first time in women's lacrosse.
? The game also marks the first time that Canisius is playing a team from the ACC.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
? Boston College is playing in its season opener on Saturday after posting a 7-10 record during the 2008 season.
? The Eagles return their top five scorers from the 2008 campaign. Lauren Costello led Boston College with 58 points on 42 goals and 16 assists as a sophomore. Jenna McCabe (43g, 12a), Lauren Fitzpatrick (37g, 5a) and Maura Mahoney (17g, 18a) also return after posting at least 35 points last season.
? Boston College also returns its starting goalkeeper in Katie Monaghan. Monaghan started 15 games as a junior, posting a goals against average of 11.90 and a save percentage of .450.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Whitney Card: A; 5' 9"; Senior

#15 Lauren Walsh: A; 5' 3"; Senior

#1 Allison Daley: GK; 5' 4"; Sophomore

#2 Ashley Gray: M; 5' 3"; Senior

#6 Brianne Laffey: A; 5' 1"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#21 Whitney Card
: 5' 9"; Senior
: A

#15 Lauren Walsh
: 5' 3"; Senior
: A

#1 Allison Daley
: 5' 4"; Sophomore
: GK

#2 Ashley Gray
: 5' 3"; Senior
: M

#6 Brianne Laffey
: 5' 1"; Sophomore
: A