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Canisius University Athletics

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Marissa Malvaso looks for an open teammate vs. St. Bona
Dean Bogart
5
Canisius CAN-W 0-1
6
Winner Siena SIEW 1-0
Canisius CAN-W
0-1
5
Final
6
Siena SIEW
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT OT 1 F
Canisius CAN-W 1 4 0 0 5
Siena SIEW 2 3 0 1 6

Game Recap: Women's Lacrosse |

Women’s Lacrosse Falls to Siena in 2021 Opener

Game Recap
Siena's Annie Brennan scored with 1:48 remaining in overtime to lift the Saints to a 6-5 victory over Canisius Saturday in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women's lacrosse action at Hickey Field in Loudonville, N.Y. 

In the season-opening contest for both programs, Siena jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a pair of free-position goals by Nicole McNeely. Golden Griffins freshman Riley Davis netted her first career collegiate goal with 8:53 remaining in the first half to bring the Griffs within one, 2-1, heading into intermission.  

Coming out after the halftime break, Canisius would knot the game up at 2-2 when senior Miranda Malvaso scored on a pass from junior Katie Smolensky with 22:27 remaining in regulation. Siena would respond just over a minute later to regain the one-goal advantage. 

With just under 15 minutes left in the second half, Canisius would get its second goal of the day courtesy of the Malvaso sisters as Marissa Malvaso found the back of the net on a pass from her sister Miranda to level the score at 3-3. 

Two Siena goals, scored with 13:19 and 7:37 to play in the second half, would give the Saints a two-goal edge late in the contest. Davis keyed the Canisius response, scoring her second of the game with 5:15 left to bring the Griffs within one before netting the equalizer with two seconds on the clock to knot the game at 5-5 and force overtime.  

Overtime saw Siena maintain possession through a majority of the extra session before Brennan scored the game-winning goal on an unassisted effort with less than two minutes remaining to boost Siena to the season-opening victory. 

Canisius was led on the day by Davis as the rookie midfielder paced the Griffs with a hat trick in her first collegiate contest. Sisters Marissa and Miranda Malvaso would have a goal and an assist to their names. Senior goalkeeper Lauren Gilbert finished the day with 10 saves for the Blue & Gold. 

Head Coach Allison Daley's Postgame Comments 
"I am very pleased with today's game. Even though the end result was not what we wanted, we can take a lot of positives away from today. We had some really great defensive stops and possessions. I thought we were outstanding on that end of the field. Lauren Gilbert played great today for us in goal.

"To be able to compete today was a really great feeling. I want to say a big thank you to our administration, (head athletic trainer) Andy Smith, and everyone that helped make today possible. I think there was more anxiousness and excitement than nerves today. Our team has worked extremely hard to get to this point, and be able to go on the field and compete again today was everything we could have asked for. 

"We couldn't be more pleased with Riley's performance today in her first game. Canisius is lucky to have a player like Riley on the roster. She stepped up for us in a big way and her teammates supported her and allowed her to breakout today.

"In a tough loss like today, I think getting after it again tomorrow against the same opponent will be good for us. It's definitely something new for everyone, but we will begin our recovery this afternoon, make adjustments and then get back to work tomorrow." 

Game Notes 
• Saturday's game was the first for Canisius in 361 days, when they defeated Little Three Foe St. Bonaventure 17-7, on March 11, 2020 in Buffalo. 
• The Griffs still lead the all-time series against the Saints, 16-9. Canisius' last win over Siena in Loudonville came on April 8, 2018, when they were victorious by a 15-10 margin. 
• Freshman Riley Davis scored her first three collegiate goals today in the hat trick performance. 
• Gilbert's 10 saves today marked the third double-digit save performance of her collegiate career. 

Up Next
Canisius returns to Hickey Field tomorrow to face off against Siena for the second-leg of the MAAC back-to-back.
• Start time for the contest between the Griffs and Saints is slated for Noon.
• The contest can be steamed live on Siena All-Access. 
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