Ashley Baker

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The women’s lacrosse team traveled to Canisius College Monday afternoon to face the Golden Griffins at the Demske Sports Complex. Niagara junior Ashley Baker (Henrietta, N.Y.) registered three goals and two assists, leading the Purple Eagles to the 8-3 victory. 

Niagara scored three goals within the first six minutes of the game to take the early 3-0 lead. After a Canisius goal at the 22:20 mark, the defense of both teams took over, as neither team scored for over 20 minutes.  

Canisius cut the lead to one with 1:28 remaining in the half, before junior Rachel Jones (Tonawanda, N.Y.) scored a free-position goal at the 25-second mark and junior Courtney Dowd (Wall, N.Y.) netted a goal three seconds before the break. 

Freshman Kathryn Kenneally (Skaneateles, N.Y.) scored the first of her two goals 27 seconds into the second half to put Niagara ahead 6-2. 

Canisius scored less than a minute later, but would not get any closer, as Niagara maintained its offensive pressure, scoring twice more, while the Purple Eagles defense stood strong. 

Niagara junior goaltender Micelle Nucci (Plainview, N.Y.) recorded eight saves in 56:54 of action, and Canisius goalie Rasheeda Brenton stopped 11 Niagara shots in 60 minutes of play. 

Niagara improves to 3-1 on the season and remains undefeated all-time against the Golden Griffins, with a record of 9-0. The Golden Griffins fall to 0-4 in 2004. 

Niagara hosts its first home game of the season Thursday, as the club faces Binghamton University at 3 p.m.