BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Manhattan women's lacrosse team topped Canisius today, now on a two-game win streak, to open MAAC play.
"Every team in the MAAC is extremely competitive. Every game is as important as the last. This game was a good reminder of the importance of the full team playing a full 60 minutes," said head coach Jenna Dingler.
The Jaspers used a strong offensive and defensive effort in the second quarter to amass a lead that would eventually carry them to a 9-8 victory over the Golden Griffins.
Manhattan (5-5, 1-0 MAAC) trailed by two halfway through the first quarter. Canisius (5-3, 0-1 MAAC) kicked off the scoring for the game with two of their shots finding the back of the Jasper net within the first five minutes. The Jaspers mounted a comeback, scoring two goals within two and a half minutes of each other in the last five minutes of the first. Reagan Mullins scored the first of the two off an assist from Ava Fernandes.
The Jaspers continued the momentum for the remainder of the first half, shutting out the Griffs in the second quarter while scoring three goals, putting them up 5-2 at the end of the first half. Fernandes scored two of the three.
In the second half, the Griffs began to fire up their offense, not letting the Jaspers pull away. The Griffs scored three times in the third and fourth quarters and held the Jaspers to one goal in the final quarter. However, the Jaspers hung onto their lead to win the game at a final score of 9-8.
The Jaspers closed the game with a well-balanced offense with Julianna Iovine dropping a hat-trick and Mullins and Fernandes with a pair of goals. Jennifer McPherson picked up three ground balls for the Jaspers.
The Jaspers play again on Wednesday, Mar. 29, and will take on Mount St. Mary at Gaelic Park at 3 p.m.
For the latest on the Manhattan College women's lacrosse program, follow the Jaspers on Instagram @manhattanwlacrosse_ and Twitter @ManhattanWLax.