By: Hunter Lobur Cummins
The Canisius women’s lacrosse team opened their season with an exciting 14–12 win at Bucknell against the Bison in Lewisburg, Penn. on Saturday afternoon. It was head coach Russell Allen’s first win with the program, picking up the victory in his first game at the helm on the sidelines in what was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
The Griffs were forced to battle back from an early three-goal deficit as the Bison jumped out to a 3–0 lead. Senior midfielder Skylar McArthur’s first of five goals got Canisius on the scoresheet in the first period, cutting the deficit to 3–1.
In the second, Canisius received goals from attacker Megan Hoffman, the aforementioned McArthur, midfielder Riley Davis and a spectacular behind-the-back finish from midfielder Paige Stachura to knot the game up at five.
The third period of play saw the Griffs pull ahead as McArthur scored once again, along with attacker Katie Smolensky, midfielder Sarah Kilburn and midfielder Caroline Netti. The Griffs used these goals to take a 9–8 lead into the final stanza.
It took all four periods, but Canisius was able to secure a win, thanks to two more goals from Skylar McArthur, as well as other tallies from Paige Stachura, Caroline Netti and Riley Davis in the last frame of play. Netti’s second goal of the game proved to be the game winner.
Head coach Russell Allen had the following to say on the team’s great performance resulting in the triumph: “I’m incredibly proud of our team. It was a total team effort, with major contributions coming from everyone on the field.”
The Griffs will travel back to the state of Pennsylvania for their next matchup, as the team will make a stop in Moon Township to face off against the Robert Morris Colonials at noon on Saturday, Feb. 19. The team will look to move to 2–0 on the season and in non-conference play.