Nonconference tests shape early season for Canisius lacrosse teams

By: Paige Apps, Sports Reporter

Nonconference play has delivered early tests and statement performances for the Canisius men’s and women’s lacrosse teams as the 2026 season takes shape.

The men dropped their home opener 11–8 to Robert Morris last Friday, Feb. 20 before rebounding with a late 8–7 win over Le Moyne on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Against the Colonials, redshirt sophomore Jordan Meech scored the first two goals of his collegiate career, and senior faceoff specialist Micah Hanson won 11 draws. Hanson later earned MAAC Co-Face-Off Specialist of the Week honors after going 25-of-40 at the “X” in games against Mercyhurst and RMU last week, surpassing 600 career faceoff wins in the process.

The Golden Griffins broke through against the Dolphins, scoring twice in the final 2:09. Redshirt sophomore Quinn Huber netted the equalizer, and sophomore Carson Christy scored the go-ahead goal with 52 seconds left. Hanson went 13-of-18 on faceoffs and secured the final draw to seal the victory.

The women opened the season with four straight wins, most recently highlighted by a 19–10 road victory over the Akron Zips. Freshman sensation Ella Forcucci had four goals and three assists in the match, and has scored a hat trick in each of her first five collegiate contests. She is the first Griff in program history to do so, was twice named the MAAC Player and MAAC Rookie of the Week and ranks among the nation’s top freshmen in scoring.

The win streak snapped on Wednesday, Feb. 25 with a 20–13 loss against the Louisville Cardinals. Forcucci, again, had a hat trick with five goals to her name, but Louisville built a seven-goal halftime lead, and held off a late push to give the women’s team their first loss of the season.

Through February, the men (1–3) have leaned on faceoff dominance and late-game execution while the women (4–1) have showcased one of the most explosive offenses in program history heading toward conference play.

The Blue and Gold continue their respective seasons with the women’s team at Austin Peay on Friday, Feb. 27 and back on home turf against Mercyhurst next Thursday, March 5 while the men remain at the Demske against Cleveland State this Saturday, Feb. 28 at 12 p.m.