Canisius outscored Marist women’s lacrosse 7-2 in the second half to spoil the Red Foxes senior day, defeating them 10-8
Playing in her final game at Tenney Stadium, graduate student attacker Kerri Gutenberger had a hat trick on the afternoon, her ninth of the season. Fellow graduate student attacker Kelly Trotta had two in the defeat.
Sophomore goalie Jody Chu was a stalwart in net for the Canisius Golden Griffins (10-5, 3-4 MAAC Conference). She had 12 saves on 20 total shots faced, good for a .600 save percentage. Senior and freshman midfielders Caroline Netti and Maddie Fitzgerald had hat tricks, accounting for six of the 10 Canisius goals.
Before the opening draw, the Red Foxes (3-11, 2-5 MAAC) celebrated their seniors; midfielder Delaney Hayes, attacker Maddie Schrader and goalie Miranda Lopes were honored with flowers and pictures pregame.
“They were just talking about this in the locker room about what their experience was prior to me even getting here,” said head coach Keith Detelj. “They really took it upon themselves to continue to change the environment and the culture for the better.”
Graduate students Gutenberger, Trotta, attacker Olivia Arntsen and defender Ashley Potter were also celebrated before the game.
“I think the most important thing is the chemistry we have with our teammates and my classmates goes beyond the lacrosse field,” said Hayes. “And whether we’re winning a game or losing a game, we all know that we have their love and support.”
Senior midfielder Maddie Mazur got Canisius on the board in the first minute of action, nailing a turnaround shot past freshman goalie Megan Morris.
Marist was almost shutout in the opening frame until sophomore midfielder Caitlin McNaboe fired a shot past the keeper with 1:29 on the clock. Although going nearly 14 minutes of scoreless play, Morris on the defensive end kept the Red Foxes in the thick of it. Saving four of the six shots she faced, Canisius only led 2-1 heading into the second quarter.
Trotta made sure the second frame was not a repeat of the first; just 56 seconds in she launched a missile into the right corner of the goal to even the score at two apiece. Gutenberger followed that up with her own goal, flexing to her teammates as Marist took the lead.
It took Canisius almost eight minutes to get on the board in the quarter; Netti broke the lull to creep back into a 4-3 deficit.
Following the score, Gutenberger chased down a ground ball near the Marist bench. Graduate student midfielder Paige Stachura collided with her, sending her sprawling out on the ground. The referees awarded a yellow card, which Trotta used in her favor to score, joining Gutenberger with two goals in the half.
Marist outscored Canisius five to one in the second quarter, a complete turnaround from the underwhelming opening. The Red Foxes headed to the locker room with a 6-3 lead, looking to keep their foot on the gas.
Having only scored one goal in 24 minutes–after scoring two in the first seven minutes–Canisius took initiative; The Griffins went on a 3-0 run to even the game up at six.
After a turbulent second quarter, Marist’s offense was repeating their first quarter play. Chu was a big reason why, saving the first three shots she faced in the quarter.
After the third goal of the run was scored, Detelj called a timeout to try and regroup his squad. The upperclassmen were as vocal as ever, trying to inspire every player on the roster.
“We’re so thankful that the figures came back and they just feel like a part of our class,” said Hayes.
Canisius came out of the timeout on a mission; three more goals brought their run to 6-0, with Netti and Fitzgerald earning hat tricks for the afternoon. Chu remained a wall in net, stopping a Trotta sidearm shot to increase her save total to four in the quarter and nine for the game.
Marist was shut out heading into the final quarter of action. Canisius had all of the momentum as the Red Foxes looked to rally behind their leaders, trailing 9-6.
Chu continued her exceptional play to start the quarter, shutting Gutenberger and freshman attacker Greta Govoni down with stick saves.
The Griffins dominated the time of possession down the stretch, forcing Marist into offensive errors and defensive miscues. Gutenberger with 6:51 left in regulation ended the drought for the Red Foxes, but it was too little too late.
Losers of five straight, and having finished their home season today, the Red Foxes only have two games remaining on their schedule.
“I think we’re really just enjoying every moment we have together,” said Hayes. “We still have pride to play for. It’s not like we’re just going out here to do nothing this next week.”
“I think we got to still stay as a family. They still want to work hard for each other,” said Detelj.
Marist looks ahead to next week as they face off with the Iona Gaels in New Rochelle on Wednesday, Apr. 17. First draw is set for 3 p.m.
Edited by Ben Leeds
Photo from Jaylen Rizzo
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