Sophomore Erica Evans continued the strong start to her career by recording a team-high five goals and six points in the Golden Griffins opening day game this afternoon, where they were defeated 13-11 at Michigan.
Canisius controlled the game from the outset bringing a 9-6 lead into the half, but the Wolverines used a 7-2 second-half run to gain the lead and hold off the Griffs, improving to 3-2 on the year.
Senior Taylor Giglio, sophomore Allie Stewart and freshman Tessa Chad each scored two goals to go along with Evans' five, while sophomore Lauren Smolensky added an assist for the Blue and Gold. Evans also recorded seven draw controls and three ground balls in her impressive opening day performance.
Freshman Brenna Shanahan recorded three shots to go along with two caused turnovers in her Canisius debut, while sophomore Nicole Nelson added a caused turnover and three ground balls.
Sophomore goaltender Rebecca VanLaeken took the loss in net, recording five saves for the Golden Griffins.
The Wolverines began the scoring less than two minutes into the 2016 season, with Tess Korten scoring the first of her five goals for the game. The Griffs retaliated by scoring five goals in the next 10 minutes of play, going on a 5-1 run, to put the score at 5-2 with 18:41 remaining in the first half of action.
Canisius traded goals with the Wolverines throughout the remainder of the half, as each team scored four times over the final 18 minutes, giving the Griffs a 9-6 lead at the half.
The Golden Griffins outshot Michigan 12-10 in the opening 30 minutes, while also holding an 11-5 advantage in draw controls.
Beginning the second half, Michigan's Kim Coughlan scored to close the gap, but two quick goals from Evans extended the Griffs lead to 11-7 with 25:44 remaining.
From there on out Canisius struggled. The team allowed six unanswered goals while being outshot 17-8, moving the team to 0-1 on the year.
The Griffs are back in action next Tuesday with a contest against Binghamton at the Demske Sports Complex. First draw for Canisius' home opener is set for 4 p.m.
Game Notes:
The game marked the first ever meeting between the two opponents... Evans' six point performance is a new career high, while her five goals tie her career high that was recorded against Fairfield on April 11th of last season… Five Griffs made their collegiate debut in the game, Chad, who scored her first two career goals, Shanahan, Carolyn Connors, Kayla O' Connell and Jourdan Roemer.
