Canisius Hangs on to Beat Longwood
from press release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Canisius College women's
lacrosse team grabbed control of the game with four goals in the
first seven minutes of the second half and then forced five
turnovers in the final four minutes to hang on for an 8-7 win over
Longwood University at the Demske Sports Complex on Saturday
afternoon. The Golden Griffins win their second straight game to
even their record at 3-3 on the season.
Six Golden Griffins scored for the Griffs on the day, led by two
goals apiece from senior Carly Quinn and freshman Maria Kotas, who
had the game-winning goal. Junior Kristy Wilensky had a team-high
three points (one goal and two assists). Quinn led the Griffs with
three draw controls as well.
"We played well defensively throughout the game, especially late in
both halves. We weren't able to take advantage of enough scoring
opportunities that could have given us some separation on the
scoreboard," Canisius coach Scott Teeter said. "We had a pretty
tough week with four games in seven days. Now we need to get some
rest and use this 10-day break to our advantage and continue to get
better in preparation for MAAC play."
Both teams scored two goals in the first seven minutes, alternating
goals in the early going. After the first of three first-half goals
from Longwood's Mary Barondess, senior Taylor Gray scored her
eighth goal of the year to tie the game at 1-1. Barondess scored
her second goal six minutes into the game, and Wilensky evened the
game at 2-2 on a free-position shot just over a minute later. Kotas
scored her first goal of the day on an assist from Wilensky to tie
the score at 3-3 with just under 16 minutes left in the half.
Barondess scored her third goal of the half with five seconds left
in the half to give Longwood the 4-3 halftime lead.
Canisius scored four goals in the first seven minutes of the second
half to take a 7-4 lead. After Megan Oosting tied the game at 4-4,
Quinn scored back-to-back goals, the first one on a back-door feed
from Oosting and the second on a free-position attempt, to give
Canisius the 6-4 lead. Wilsensky fed a cutting Rachel Brand who
scored her third goal of the season to give Canisius a three-goal
advantage. Longwood then scored the next three goals, tying the
game at 7-7 with 14:52 left in the second half. Canisius would get
what proved to be the game-winning goal from Kotas on a
free-position attempt with 11:26 left to give Canisius the 8-7
lead.
Brand hit the post with just under six minutes remaining that would
have given Canisius a two-goal cushion. Senior Allison Daley saved
both of Longwood's shots on goal after the Lancers had tied the
game at 7-7. The Griffs also forced five turnovers in the final
four minutes, including two caused turnovers from Kotas, to limit
Longwood's attempts at the game-tying goal.
Daley made nine saves on the day to pick up the win and even her
record at 3-3 on the season.
Canisius returns to the field on March 22, when the Golden Griffins
play at Robert Morris. Game time in Moon Township, Pa. is set for 2
p.m.
