Lacrosse gears up for 2026 season

By Jase May, Sports Reporter

Lacrosse season is returning at Canisius for the 2026 collegiate season.  

Men’s lacrosse will begin their season with a matchup on the road against Hobart on Saturday, Feb. 7. Women’s lacrosse will begin their season three days later on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at home against Detroit Mercy.  

Women’s lacrosse will play a total of 16 games with eight at home and eight on the road. Their final game of the season is scheduled for April 18 against Rider. Men’s lacrosse will play their final game of the season on April 22 against Marist and will play 14 games with seven at home and seven away.

The women finished last season with a 6–10 overall record, going 3–5 in the MAAC and missed the MAAC tournament. Two players to watch out for this season are sophomore Katie Adams and junior Maddie Fitzgerald.

Adams is coming off her rookie season with the Griffs in which she netted 23 goals and earned herself a place on the All-MAAC Rookie Team. Adams also earned herself a nomination for Canisius University’s Female Rookie of the Year award.

Meanwhile, Fitzgerald has played stellar in her prior two seasons with the Golden Griffins. Last season saw her build on an impressive Rookie of the Year campaign with 41 total goals and a spot on the All-MAAC Second Team. Fitzgerald was also a nominee for Canisius University’s Female Athlete of the Year.

Though the women’s team said goodbye to four seniors with the conclusion of the 2025 season, they have six incoming freshmen signed to the team who look to fill the void.

On the other side, the men’s team made the tournament last season as the three seed with a 6–10 record. However, the Griffs were eliminated in the first round by sixth-seeded Quinnipiac. Two standout players for the Griffs include senior Alexis Simard and sophomore Peter Biglin.  

Simard’s play earned him a spot on the All-MAAC Second Team and a nomination for Canisius University’s Male Athlete of the Year. Simard finished the season with 24 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers.

Biglin played an impressive rookie season for the Griffs. His first year at Canisius resulted in a spot on the All-MAAC Rookie Team and a nomination for Canisius University’s Male Rookie of the Year.

Both Fitzgerald and Simard were awarded preseason All-MAAC honors with Simard being one of three unanimous selections.  

In addition to these preseason accolades, the preseason coaches’ poll placed Canisius in sixth on the men’s side and ninth on the women’s side.  

The ultimate goal is the MAAC Championship tournament which will run through a six-team tournament.  First round matchups are scheduled for April 26 with semi-final rounds coming on April 30 and the championship game on May 2.