Five Things to Know: Women’s Lacrosse Readies for Matchup with Rival Niagara

Game No. 9
Canisius (6-2, 1-0 MAAC) vs. Niagara (5-4, 1-0 MAAC)
Date: Wednesday, March 30
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Buffalo, N.Y. | Demske Sports Complex
Video Broadcast: ESPN+
Live Stats: Via GoGriffs.com
Twitter: @CanisiusWLax | #Griffs | #MAACLax
Instagram: @CanisiusWLax | #Griffs | #MAACLax

Five Things to Know:

1) MAAC Home Opener
Canisius opens a three-game homestand Wednesday with its conference home opener, hosting Battle of the Bridge rival Niagara at the Demske Sports Complex. Opening draw is slated for 4 p.m. and will be aired on ESPN+.

The Golden Griffins and Purple Eagles both enter the contest 1-0 in MAAC play, following wins last Saturday. Canisius defeated Manhattan on the road, 14-13, while Niagara was victorious against Monmouth in its conference home opener, posting a 13-10 triumph.

2) Battle of the Bridge
Canisius and Niagara are familiar foes, as the Griffs have faced the Purple Eagles more than any other opponent in program history. Wednesday's matchup will be the 31st meeting between the two teams, with the Griffs leading the all-time series, 17-13.

In their three meetings during the 2021 season, Canisius lost 16-9 at home and fell 10-7 and 11-4 on the road. In those contests, Riley Davis and Katie Smolensky each tallied a total of five goals and one assist, while Avery Penoyer notched a goal and an assist.

3) 100-Point Club
Smolensky registered a six-point performance in last Saturday's win over Manhattan. With her final point, an assist on a Caroline Netti tally in the third quarter, the senior joined the 100-point club.

In 40 appearances for the Griffs, Smolensky has started in 38 of those contests, reaching the 100-point plateau on 55 goals and 45 assists. The Rochester, N.Y., native has logged seven multi-point games this season, including four with five or more points.

4) McArthur Magic
Skylar McArthur scored the game-winning goal to push Canisius past Manhattan in the final minutes of a back-and-forth battle with the Jaspers. The senior captain has found a way to make big things happen this season, recording five multi-goal games and two contests with five tallies.

McArthur's 18 points through eight games this season surpasses her total points in her first three seasons combined. The product of Peterborough, Ontario, has set career-highs in every statistical category in 2022.

5) Five-Star Performances
Caroline Netti and McArthur both have two five-goal games this year, marking the first time since the 2018 campaign that the Griffs have had two players with a pair of five-plus goal games in a single season. Jourdan Roemer and Jen Reininger was the last pairing to do it, as Roemer tallied three five-goal games, while Reininger had one five-goal and two six-goal performances.

For complete coverage of the Canisius women's lacrosse program, be sure to follow @CanisiusWLax on Instagram and Twitter.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Riley Davis: M; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#18 Skylar McArthur: M; 5' 6"; Senior

#16 Caroline Netti: M/A; 5' 3"; Sophomore

#33 Avery Penoyer: M; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#12 Katie Smolensky: A; 5' 3"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#23 Riley Davis
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: M

#18 Skylar McArthur
: 5' 6"; Senior
: M

#16 Caroline Netti
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: M/A

#33 Avery Penoyer
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: M

#12 Katie Smolensky
: 5' 3"; Senior
: A