OLEAN, N.Y. - The Canisius Golden Griffins women's lacrosse team got their first victory of the 2015 season on Tuesday, as the team downed in-state rival St. Bonaventure, 14-8 in Olean, N.Y.
Led by a 10 goal first half, the Griffs shut-down the Bonnies on their home-field and showed why they are the defending MAAC Champions. The team had three different players score three goals in the game, including three first half goals by Rachel Toole. Toole's three scores came on three shots on goal and were her first points of the season.
Besides Toole, senior captain Tori Quinn netted three goals of her own and also had an assist, leading to four points for the attacker increasing her total to 19 this season. Freshman Erica Evans was the third Griff to score three goals and she also had an assist against the Bonnies.
The other Griff to score multiple-goals for the Blue and Gold was senior Meghan Cuddy who added two of her own and recorded an assist on one of Toole's goals. Tori Greco, Caroline Ogden and Taylor Giglio were the three other Griffs to score in the game.
Defensively the Griffs as a team shut down the Bonnies in the first half, allowing the home team to score only two goals in the first 30 minutes of action. Freshman Rebecca VanLaeken was a major factor in the success of the first half, as the goalkeeper made five saves in the teams first victory of the season.
St. Bonaventure was led by Gabrielle Bradley who had three of the team's eight goals, all which came in the second half. The loss drops the Bonnies to 0-4 on the season.
The next game for Canisius will be when the team hosts nationally ranked Ohio State at the Demske Sports Complex on Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m. The game against the Buckeyes will be the first home game for the Griffs this season.
Game Notes: Toole's three goals were a career-high for the sophomore and also matched her goal total from last season..the victory for VanLaeken was her first collegiate victory...the four points for Quinn puts her at 194 for her career, six away from 200...Not only was the 14 goals by the Griffs a season high, but the eight goals against was a season-low for the Blue and Gold.
