Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV, N.Y. – The Niagara women’s lacrosse team could not keep pace with the Canisius offense, dropping a 14-4 decision to its cross-town rival on Wednesday evening at Niagara Field.

With the loss, NU drops to 4-8 on the season, and 0-2 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, while Canisius improves to 8-3, and 2-0 in conference action. 

"Our defense really stepped up today, and though we struggled to generate offensive opportunities at times, I was pleased with the overall effort," head coach Wendy Stone said.  "We will look to improve over the next two days of practice to be ready to face Fairfield on Saturday."

Canisius went on a 7-0 run to begin the Battle of the Bridge contest led by a Morgan Leonard hat trick, and a pair of tallies from Lindsey Morgan.

Paige Matecki was the first Purple Eagle to get on the scoreboard with 8:37 on the clock.  The play was started by a solid effort in the offensive zone by Carrie-Jo Farrugia  as the sophomore dodged several Canisius defenders before dishing the ball to Katherine Pille   Pille connected with Matecki at the doorstep of Griff goaltender Kayla Scully who scored her fifth of the season.

The Griffins wrapped up the first half with three more goals to head into the intermission with a 10-1 advantage, while outshooting the Purps 18-4. 

Canisius once again opened the second half with a run, scoring four consecutive tallies.  The final 10 minutes of play saw Niagara sustain its longest stretch of pressure on the Griffin offense as three different Purple Eagles found the back of the net. 

Danielle Maio earned her 17^th goal of the year with 7:50 remaining in the second, and Emily Fleetwood secured her third goal of the season off an assist from Paige Matecki. 

Kristen Winter finished off the scoring with 16 seconds left in the contest as the freshman picked off a pass attempt by Gina Molfetta, running in on the goaltender before swinging a low shot into the bottom corner. 

NU goaltender Paige Sasser stymied 10 Griffin shots on goal.       

The Purple Eagles return to the field on Saturday, April 6 when Niagara hosts Fairfield at noon.