PURPLE EAGLES WOMEN'S LACROSSE
Game 6-8	Niagara Purple Eagles (2-3, 2-3 MAAC) vs. Canisius Golden Griffins (1-4, 1-4 MAAC)
Date	Tuesday, April 13 | 7 PM Friday, April 16 | 7 PM Sunday, April 18 | 1 PM
Location	Demske Sports Complex – Canisius College Niagara Field – Niagara University
Series	Canisius Leads 17-10
Streak	Canisius W17
Live Stats	GoGriffs.com PurpleEagles.com
Live Video	GoGriffs.com PurpleEagles.com
Twitter	@NiagaraWlax
Instagram	@NiagaraWlax

 
After a bye week, the Niagara Purple Eagles return to action with a trio of matches against archrival Canisius. Niagara will play at Canisius on Tuesday night before hosting the Golden Griffins on Friday and Sunday.
 

SCENE SETTER

• Niagara was scheduled to play a two-game set at Marist on April 2-3; however, those matches have been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. As a result, the Purple Eagles played at the Monmouth Hawks on April 3 on lost 15-12. Niagara had season-highs in man-up goals (3), grounds balls (30), clears (21), and caused turnovers (14).
• Niagara will now play five games in the next nine days. After the three-game series with Canisius, NU is scheduled for a two-game set at Marist on April 20-21.
• The Purple Eagles will look to halt a losing streak to Canisius which dates back to 2005.

 

MATCH TIDBITS

• The Purple Eagles lead the MAAC in clearing percentage (.913), ground balls per game (21.6), and shot percentage (.484). Niagara is ninth and 12^th, respectively, in the nation in clearing percentage and shot percentage.  
• Lexi Braniecki was named MAAC Rookie of the Week for the second time in her career on April 7. Braniecki scored two goals on two shots against Monmouth on April 3 for her third straight two-goal game. She added one ground ball, one caused turnover, and one draw control.
• Rachel Crane, who has nine goals and 11 points in the last two games, leads the team in points with 20.
• Rachel Crane leads the MAAC and is third in the nation in free position percentage (.833).
• Shea Swartwout has scored 17 goals through four games, which are the second most goals through four games in program history (Rachel MacCheyne had 18 in 2019). Swartwout leads the MAAC with 4.25 goals per game.
• Lauren Paul is five caused turnovers away from tying the program career record of 89 which is currently held by former teammate Alexandra Higgins (2015-18).
• Freshman Lexi Braniecki is third on the team in goals with 10 and points with 12.
• Lauren Paul is third on the career ground balls list with 133. She is 23 away from tying former teammate Alexandra Higgins. 

 

#EaglesTakeFlight

• Shea Swartwout was named MAAC Women's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week on March 22. She scored 10 goals in two games, including a career-high six goals on March 19.
• Shea Swartwout moved into 10^th place on the career goals list and surpassed the 100-point mark for her career on March 21. She is currently seventh on the list.
• Lauren Paul ranks 19^th among active NCAA Division I athletes in career-caused turnovers and 25^th in ground balls.
• On March 27, Rachel Crane had a career-high day in her fifth career game with six goals on seven shots and two assists for eight points, which are the most by a Purple Eagle this season. Crane added four draw controls and two ground balls.
• Freshman Lexi Braniecki was MAAC Women's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week on March 13. Braniecki scored three goals in her collegiate debut and had one caused turnover in the season opener at Fairfield on March 13
• Michelle Messenger and Lauren Paul were named to the Preseason All-MAAC Women's Lacrosse team. Messenger was leading the nation in save percentage (.577) through 283 minutes played over seven games before the season was canceled.

 
Stay connected with Niagara Women's Lacrosse on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Niagara Athletics all year long on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and purpleeagles.com.