After battling the nation's 10th-ranked team to a tight first half, the Canisius College men's lacrosse team couldn't keep up in the second half as Cornell used a 9-0 run – including the first seven tallies of the second half – to earn a 12-6 victory on Tuesday night. The loss drops the Griffs to 2-9 on the season, while the nationally-ranked Big Red improves to 8-3.

Senior Alex Govenettio played strong for the Griffs between the pipes, recording a career-best 18 saves to keep Canisius within striking distance against nationally-ranked Cornell for most of the game. The senior's 18 stops are the most by a Griff in nine seasons.

Sophomore Adam Huber led the offense with two tallies on the night. Seniors Tim Edwards and Austin Romantic and juniors Billy Jacobbi and Jimmy May each added a tally.

The Griffs played with the Big Red for the first 26 minutes of the game and held the lead late in the first half. After Cornell netted the game's first two goals, Canisius responded with a 4-1 run. Huber netted his first of the day with a man advantage before Edwards scored to draw the Griffs even at two after the first quarter.

Jacobbi gave the Griffs their first lead with a tally early in the second stanza and after Cornell tied the game at three, Romantic helped Canisius move back ahead with just 4:14 left in the first half.

The Big Red, however, answered with the final two scores of second quarter for a 5-4 advantage at the intermission. Cornell then pulled away after the break, scoring the first seven goals of the second half for a 12-4 advantage. Huber and May finished the scoring for the night for the final 12-6 tally.

Cornell finished the game with a commanding edge in shots (55-25), faceoffs (18-5) and ground balls (42-20) but Goventtio was able to keep the Griffs in the contest for most of the game.

Conor Buczek led the Big Red with four points on three goals and one assist, while Christian Knight earned the win in net with five saves.

Canisius now prepares to return to conference action with a home contest against Quinnipiac on Saturday. The Griffs' Senior Day contest is slated to begin at 2 p.m. at the Demske Sports Complex.

Game Notes: Govenettio's 18 saves are the most by a Griff since Tom Kucharczak had 19 saves against Marist on April 29, 2006 … Govenettio's previous career best in saves was 16 (versus Manhattan earlier in the year) … Huber's is now tied for the team lead with four man-up goals this year … After being outscored, 5-0, in the third quarter, Canisius has been outscored, 41-11, during the period this season … Cornell has won all 12 meetings between the two schools.