The Canisius College men's lacrosse team made history on Tuesday afternoon, winning the first-ever international contest between Division I schools with an 11-6 victory over Vermont in Oshawa, Ontario. The Griffs improve to 1-1 on the season, while the Catamounts fall to 2-4.

“We learned to win today,” said Canisius head coach Randy Mearns. “We trusted our teammates, believed in ourselves and stay disciplined to our 60-minute game plan. I couldn't be more proud of our team right now and winning the first-ever game in Canada.”

Canadian sophomore Connor Kearnan and junior Jeff Edwards led the Griffs with five points apiece, each netting a hat trick to go along with two assists in the winning effort. Junior Lewis Vaccaro registered a career-best three points on a goal and two assists, while seniors Vince Gravino, Jimmy May and Nick Tuttle and sophomore Ryan McKee rounded out the scoring for Canisius with a goal each.

In his first collegiate start between the pipes, senior Jeff Wilson earned his first victory with six saves. Senior Brendan Barren led the Griffs with three ground balls and three caused turnovers, while classmate Rich Stapleton held Vermont's leading scorer to just one goal and seven turnovers.

The Griffs didn't waste much time in grabbing the lead, using a 5-2 first quarter to seize control of the contest. Gravino opened the scoring just 44 seconds into the game and was followed by Tuttle three minutes later for a Canisius lead it would not relinquish. McKee and two goals from Edwards would allow the Griffs to take a three-score advantage into the second frame.

Vaccaro and Kearnan scored 47 seconds apart to start the second quarter and from there, the Catamounts would never pull closer than four goals as Canisius earned its first victory of the 2016 campaign.

Canisius finished the game with a 41-20 advantage in shots, while holding a 25-21 edge in ground balls. The Griffs were also 2-for-6 with the extra-man advantage, while killing all three of Vermont's man-up chances.

The Griffs look to continue their winning ways in the United States with a home game against Hobart next Tuesday. First face off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Demkse Sports Complex.