Five Things to Know: Women's Lacrosse Readies for Matchup with Marist

Game No. 14
Canisius (9-4, 4-2 MAAC) at Marist (2-12, 0-6 MAAC)
Date: Wednesday, April 20
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Poughkeepsie, N.Y. | Leonidoff Field
Video Broadcast: ESPN+
Live Stats: Via GoRedFoxes.com
Twitter: @CanisiusWLax | #Griffs | #MAACLax
Instagram: @CanisiusWLax | #Griffs | #MAACLax

Five Things to Know:

1. Opening Draw
The Canisius women's lacrosse team is back in action Wednesday as the Golden Griffins travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., for a midweek matchup with Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference foe Marist. Opening draw at Leonidoff Field is slated for 3 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

2. Series History
Canisius and Marist will face off for the 29th time in program history on Wednesday. Canisius has a 12-16 record in the all-time series, with the Griffs holding an 8-2 advantage in the last 10 meetings between the two teams.

The conference opponents haven't met since the 2019 campaign due to the COVID-19 shortened seasons the past two years. In their most recent meeting on April 3, 2019, the Red Foxes claimed a 19-14 victory over the Griffs in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Senior Katie Smolensky tallied four points on one goal and three assists, while fifth-year Toni Malvaso recorded two caused turnovers and two groundballs in the defeat.

3. Resilient Rooney
When Canisius lost starting goalkeeper Shannon Maroney to an injury, freshman midfielder Hailey Rooney stepped up to start in goal for the Griffs. The Spencerport, N.Y., native had only played goalie once before in her lacrosse career as a sophomore in high school.

In her first collegiate game last Saturday, Rooney recorded 12 stops and a .571 save percentage to lead the Griffs to a 10-9 overtime victory over Quinnipiac at the Demske Sports Complex. Rooney registered seven saves in the first half of the contest and four in the second before turning aside the only shot she faced in overtime.

4. Streaking Smo
With her three points in last Saturday's matchup with the Bobcats, Smolensky extended her point streak to 30 consecutive games. The streak dates back to April 24, 2019, which was her first season on Main Street. The product of Rochester, N.Y., has now recorded at least a point in 39 contests out of 45 appearances for the Blue and Gold, including 29 multi-point performances and seven with five or more points.

Smolensky leads the Griffs in scoring this season with 49 points on 25 goals and 24 assists. Her 3.77 points per game is currently seventh in the MAAC.

5. Eyes on the Prize
Canisius closes out the regular season portion of its schedule beginning with its visit to Marist on Wednesday before playing its final game of the regular season Saturday at Fairfield.

With a 9-4 overall record and 4-2 record in conference play, Canisius currently sits in fourth place in the MAAC standings behind Battle of the Bridge rival Niagara, Monmouth and Siena. The Griffs were picked seventh in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

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

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#21 Toni Malvaso: D; 5' 2"; Graduate Student

#00 Shannon Maroney: GK; 5' 3"; Senior

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

#99 Hailey Rooney: M/GK; 5' 4"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#21 Toni Malvaso
: 5' 2"; Graduate Student
: D

#00 Shannon Maroney
: 5' 3"; Senior
: GK

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

#99 Hailey Rooney
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: M/GK