Canisius women’s lacrosse surges into MAAC play as team to beat

By: Paige Apps, Sports Reporter

After a year of growth and development, the Canisius Golden Griffins women’s lacrosse team enters conference play in a dramatically different position than they did just one season ago.

This time last year, Canisius sat fourth in the MAAC standings with a 3–5 non-conference record, still searching for consistency with a roster largely made up of underclassmen. Building team chemistry was a central focus as the program worked to establish its identity.

Fast forward to 2026, the transformation is evident.

The Griffs open MAAC play not just improved, but leading the conference. With a 6–2 record through non-conference action, Canisius holds the top spot in the MAAC standings heading into league competition, showcasing one of the most potent and balanced teams in the conference.

Close behind the Griffs are longstanding contenders like the Fairfield Stags and Quinnipiac Bobcats, along with the Siena Saints – each entering conference play at 5–3 on the season and poised to challenge for rank as the season unfolds.

Canisius’ rise to the top has been fueled by a high-powered offense that currently leads the MAAC in multiple categories. The Griffs are averaging an impressive 16.88 goals per game and 25.50 points per contest, both conference-best marks. Their ability to generate opportunities has also stood out as Canisius leads the league in assists (8.63 per game) and shots (33.88 per game), reflecting an offense built on ball movement, depth and efficiency.

At the center of that attack is freshman sensation Ella Forcucci, who has quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic players in the conference. Forcucci leads the MAAC in goals (28) and total points (39), averaging 3.5 goals and 4.88 points per game. Complementing her is junior Megan Previdi, who has been the conference’s top facilitator. Previdi leads the MAAC in assists with 27, averaging 3.38 per game, helping orchestrate an offense that has proven difficult for opponents to contain.

Canisius will begin its MAAC schedule on the road against the Manhattan Jaspers on Saturday, March 21. Manhattan enters the matchup with a 1–8 record and sits 11th in the conference standings, but the start of league play often resets expectations, making every game critical regardless of record.

For Canisius, the focus will be on maintaining the level of play that carried them through non-conference action – particularly its offensive efficiency and depth – while continuing to build momentum against MAAC opponents. With a conference-leading record, standout individual performances and a more experienced record, the Blue and Gold are positioned as early contenders in the MAAC. As conference play begins, the opportunity to turn early success into a defining season is firmly within reach.

Via Tom Wolf