BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Niagara University women's lacrosse team fell to cross-town rival Canisus, 16-8, on Wednesday night at the Demske Sports Complex.

Erin Patenaude contributed a career-high four assists on the night while Danielle Maio added two goals and one assist for the Purple Eagles. Freshman Cailyn Negus also chipped in two goals for NU.

The Golden Griffins (10-5, 7-0 MAAC) controlled the beginning of the first half, owning an 8-0 lead with 14 minutes left. However, Niagara (5-10, 2-4 MAAC) closed out the first stanza going on a 3-1 run which highlight goals from Molly Gray, Taylor Wolf, Negus and Maio. The two teams went into their locker rooms with Canisius leading, 9-4.

The Griffs came out to score the first two goals of the second stanza but Hannah Barnett stop the run with a goal of her own at the 17:57 mark. Canisius made it a 12-5 game before Maio scored her 12^th goal of the season with 13:51 left on the clock.

The rest of second half played out in favor of the home team, with Canisius going on a 4-0 run, taking their largest lead of the night, 16-6, with 3:36 remaining in regulation. Negus netted her ninth goal of the year and freshman Olivia Renner added a goal in the final seconds of the contest to pull Niagara within eight, but they would come no closer. 

Gray finished the game with one goal and one assist, while Renner ended the game with a goal to mark her first point as a Purple Eagle. With the win, Canisius clinched the 2014-15 Battle of the Bridge series.

Defensively, Maio led all players with three groundballs picked up while winning five draw controls for Niagara. Amanda Yavorek made seven saves for NU in 54 minutes of play.

Niagara welcomes Manhattan to Monteagle Ridge on Saturday, Apr. 18 at 4 p.m. for Senior Day. 

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