By Delaney Hayden
On Wednesday, the Canisius College and Robert Morris University women’s lacrosse teams battled during the Golden Griffins’ home opener for the season on the Demske Beach. The Griffs pulled away with the game in hand to earn a huge 12-5 win.
The game was a dedication game for the Morgan’s Message organization to raise awareness on the relationship between athletes and their mental health, urging everyone to start to treat mental health, just as they would physical health. Both teams raised money for the organization, and dedicated the game to the important cause.
Morgan's Message is a nonprofit organization co-founded by Kurt and Dona Rodgers in memory of their daughter, former Duke University lacrosse player Morgan Rodgers, who tragically took her own life.
The organization seeks to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in high school and collegiate athletics.
Before the game, there was a reflection and moment of silence for all those battling mental health struggles, in hopes that they will feel love and support, and know that they are valued, appreciated, and cared for.
Right as the game started, the Griffs took the lead with 5 unanswered goals in the first quarter. Senior midfielder, Paige Statchura started the Griffs off with their first goal at 13:20, and ended the game with a hat trick, 1 assist, and 4 ground balls. At 06:59, RMU’s Kelsey Nelson scored the Colonial’s only goal of the first quarter.
Canisius found themselves up 6-2 heading into the half.
Graduate student, captain, and midfielder, Skylar McArthur led the Griffs in goals with four total. Graduate student and attacker Kaitlyn Salce and graduate student, and captain, Ivy Santana also put numbers up on the board during the first quarter alone. Salce had 2 goals in total. Santana had 1.
Also putting numbers on the board for the Griffs were junior midfielder/attacker, Caroline Netti, with one, and sophomore attacker, Sophie Socker, with one. Socker’s tally marked her first ever collegiate goal.
The Griff’s defensive unit played as a whole and absolutely dominated. Three out of the five goals from the Colonial’s were off of free positions.
Freshman goalie Jody Chu had 5 saves total with 3 goals against. With 18 shots on goal, the Griffs made 12, and also ended the game with 21 ground balls, out hustling and playing the Colonials who only had 15.
The Canisius Women’s Lacrosse squad will be back in action on their home turf this Sunday against Youngstown State, where they are prepared to battle for another big win on the Demske Beach.