Women's Lacrosse

Fairfield and Manhattan Earn MAAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship Opening Round Wins on Saturday

No. 6 Manhattan – 16 | No. 3 Niagara – 15 3OT
Niagara Field | NIAGARA FALLS, NY
Box Score
 
After being down 10-4 in the second quarter, No. 6 Manhattan (11-7, 4-4 MAAC) steadily clawed their way back using three overtimes to take down No. 3 Niagara (9-9, 5-3 MAAC), 16-15. Grace Lipponer’s third and fourth goals of the game were the game-tying and sudden-death game winners that sent Manhattan to next weekend’s Championship Semifinals where they will take on No. 1 Monmouth.
 
Manhattan Notes and Notables
  • Meghan Rodino scored a team-high six goals including four straight in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 11-10.
  • Ashley Gambardella recorded 13 saves in all 69 minutes in goal.
  • Julianna Iovine added three goals on seven shots.
  • The Jaspers outscored Niagara 11-5 in the third and fourth quarters combined.
  • First MAAC Tournament win since 2005.
 
Niagara Notes and Notables
  • Lois Garlow scored six goals and added two assists to lead the Purple Eagles in points.
  • Lexi Braniecki, Allison McCormick, Lucy Rugaber, and Andra Savage all added two goals apiece.
  • 2022 MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year Michelle Messenger recorded 16 saves in goal for Niagara.
 
No. 4 Fairfield – 15 | No. 5 Canisius – 8
Conway Field at Rafferty Stadium | FAIRFIELD, CT
Box Score

No. 4 Fairfield (11-6, 5-3 MAAC) never trailed No. 5 Canisius (10-6, 5-3 MAAC), posting a 15-8, wire-to-wire victory in the opening round. The Stags jumped out to an early 3-0 lead less than five minutes into the contest behind back-to-back goals from Maggie Fort. Fairfield would hold a four-point advantage at the end of the first and second periods, leading 7-3 and 9-5, respectively. In the second half, the home side’s lead grew to six, following a tally from Amanda Kozak with 2:01 left in the third, before the Stags cruised to the victory, never allowing Canisius to get within five in the final period.
 
Fairfield Notes and Notables
  • Fairfield doubled up Canisius in shots (34-17) and ground balls (22-11).
  • The Stags also posted a 26-12 shots on goal advantage in the win.
  • Fort led the Stags with four goals and one assist, followed by a hat trick from Kozak.
  • Fairfield also got a pair of goals each from the quartet of Olivia Doody, Kelly Horning, Ellie Grefenstette, and Elizabeth Talluto.
  • Casey Collins, who started the match but only played the first two quarters, earned the win after making one save in goal after 30 minutes of action.  
  • The three-time defending champions will advance to the semifinal round for the 16th straight season dating back to 2006.
 
Canisius Notes and Notables
  • Canisius won the draw controls battle (15-12).
  • Three Griffs combined to score all eight of the team’s goals, led by Skylar McArthur’s four tallies, a trio from Paige Stachura, and one by Kaitlyn Salce.
  • Hailey Rooney made 11 saves in goal for the Griffs in the defeat.
 
The 2022 MAAC Women's Lacrosse Championship will resume with the semifinals on Friday, May 6, and the championship match on Sunday, May 8. The championship semifinals and final will be hosted by Siena College at Hickey Field in Loudonville, NY. Fairfield will take on host No. 2 Siena at 12:00 p.m. and Manhattan will meet No 1. Monmouth at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
 
Tickets for all games during the 2022 MAAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship can be purchased through HomeTown Ticketing at the gate or by visiting maacsports.com.
 
For all championship information regarding the 2022 Women’s Lacrosse Championship, visit maacsports.com.
 
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 41st year of competition during the 2021-22 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
 
Stay up to date with the MAAC on social media by following @MAACSports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit MAACSports.com for all the latest MAAC news.