Women’s lacrosse secure MAAC playoff ticket and home field advantage

By Paige Apps, Sports Reporter

With a 14-11 victory over Mount St. Mary’s, the Canisius women’s lacrosse team booked their reservation for a spot in the 2026 MAAC Championships and secured the right to host a first-round playoff game. 

Senior Maggie Tifft and sophomore Katie Adams led the way offensively, each recording hat tricks as part of a 14-goal outing on just 23 shots. Senior Meg Hiltz added a goal and a game-high three assists, finishing with four points to help orchestrate the attack.

Canisius set the tone early, using a pair of 4–1 runs to build an 8–2 lead midway through the second quarter. Tifft fueled the fast start, completing her hat trick during the surge, while contributions came from across the lineup as five additional players found the back of the net.

Faced with a late-game test, the Griffs responded with composure. Hiltz found sophomore Leah Pfeiffer for the go-ahead goal with just under 11 minutes remaining. Moments later, freshman Ella Forcucci added an insurance tally to extend the lead.

After Mount St. Mary’s pulled back within one, a final push from Canisius sealed the victory. Goals from juniors Lauren Matyka and Maddie Fitzgerald punched the team’s ticket to the postseason.

Defensively, junior Bridget Brown led the way with three caused turnovers while Tifft added a career-high five ground balls as part of a strong all-around performance. The Griffs also controlled the possession battle, winning the ground ball margin 30–23.

The win moved Canisius to 11–4 overall and 5–2 in conference play, and also ensured the Griffs to host a first-round MAAC playoff game. The team will enter the tournament as either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed, depending on results across the conference in the final week of the regular season.

With the postseason now locked in, the Blue and Gold will turn their attention to closing out the regular season against the Rider Broncs (0–7). The matchup, set for Saturday, April 18, will also serve as senior day as Canisius honors its graduating class before looking ahead to its postseason run.

Leah Pfeiffer making a pass (via Tom Wolf)