In

In t r o d u c t io n 

Table of Contents 

2009 Golden Griffins 

Season Preview...............................................................2-3 

Head Coach Scott Teeter................................................4 

Support Staff.......................................................................5 

2009 Roster.........................................................................6 

Player Profiles................................................................7-12 

Captains.............................................................................7 

Returners.....................................................................7-11 

Newcomers.....................................................................12 

Quick Facts 

General Information 

Location...............................................Buffalo, NY 14208 

Founded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1870 

Enrollment ........................................................3,490 

Nickname ................................................Golden Griffins 

School Colors...............................................Blue & Gold 

President ..................................... Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J. 

Athletic Director...............................................Bill Maher 

Faculty Athletic Rep..................................Dr. Shawn O’Rourke 

Athletic Dept. Phone.......................................716-888-2970 

Athletic Dept. Fax..........................................716-888-3174 

Team Information 

Affiliation ..............................................NCAA, Division I 

Conference .......................................Metro Atlantic Athletic 

First year of sport ...................................................1998 

Overall all-time record ............................................46-117 

# of years in NCAA tourn/last. .....................................None 

Venue ...........................................Demske Sports Complex 

Capacity .........................................................1,000 

Surface ......................................................Field Turf 

Press Box Phone Number. ................................585-615-5316 

2008 Record.........................................................9-9 

Conference Record/Finish. .......................................4-2/3rd 

Starters Returning/Lost ..............................................9/3 

Letterwinners Returning/Lost .......................................16/8 

Newcomers ...........................................................6 

Coaching Staff 

Head Coach .................................................Scott Teeter 

Alma Mater/Year ..........................................Canisius ‘02 

Record at school (yrs) ...............................36-57 (Six Seasons) 

Career record (yrs) ...............................................Same 

Lacrosse office phone ....................................716-888-3764 

Best time/day to reach coach ...............................Contact SID 

Assistant Coach...........................................Lesley Graham 

Athletic Trainer ..............................................Koki Takano 

Women’s Lacrosse History 

2008 Season Review.......................................................13 

2009 Opponents..............................................................14 

History/Awards...............................................................15 

Year-by-Year Results................................................ 16-17 

Record Book...............................................................18-20 

Career Records..............................................................18 

Season Records..............................................................19 

Goaltending/Team Records.................................... 20 

Canisius College 

Media Information 

General Information 

Canisius College Facts.............................................22-23 

Academic Services...........................................................24 

Life Skills............................................................................. 25 

Buffalo...........................................................................26-27 

Athletic Tradition............................................................ 28 

MAAC ................................................................................ 29 

Facilities.............................................................................. 30 

Administration...........................................................31-32 

Director ...................................................Matt Reitnour 

Assistant Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Matt Lozar 

Assistant Director/Women’s Lacrosse Contact .............Jason Veniskey 

Office Phone.............................................716-888-3767 

Cell Phone ...............................................585-615-5316 

E-Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . veniskej@canisius.edu 

Graduate Assistant................................ Lindsay Beckinghausen 

Office Fax ................................................ 716-888-8444 

Website ..............................................www.GoGriffs.com 

GoGriffs.com 

• Features information on 

all 16 Canisius College 

athletic teams. 

• Student-athlete 

and coaching staff 

biographies, up-tothe 

minute athletic 

news, game notes plus 

schedules and results 

• Live in-game statistics for 

all home games. 

• Live video and audio 

webcasts for select home contests. 

• Directions to all Canisius facilities. 

Media Guide Credits 

The Canisius women’s lacrosse guide was produced on a MacBook Pro with 

Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop CS3. 

Editor: Jason Veniskey 

Inside Front Cover Design: Jackie Loson 

Contributors: Matt Reitnour. Matt Lozar, Lindsay Beckinghausen 

Photography: Tom Wolf Imaging 

Printer: Multi-Ad Services, Inc., Peoria, Ill. 

2009 CANISIUS WOMEN’S LACROSSE GUIDE 1

Se a s o n Pr e v i e w 

play an even bigger part during her senior year.” 

Martinez is one of many players that Teeter will look toward to fill the 

void left by Lauren Walsh. Walsh graduated from Canisius with a MAAC 

record 103 assists and a school-standard 200 points. 

“We have some tough holes to fill,” Teeter said. “Anytime you lose a 

200-point player to graduation will obviously change your attack. We 

will look for Brianne Laffey and Carly Quinn to build on their freshman 

seasons and lead our team behind the cage. If healthy, Taylor Gray will 

also help lead our attacking unit behind the net.” 

Gray registered 24 points, 17 goals and seven assists during her rookie 

season, while Quinn added 15 points, seven goals and eight assists and 

Laffey posted four points, three goals and one assist. 

Senior Shannon Callahan, sophomore Ashley Curtis and newcomer 

Kristy Wilensky will all provide valuable depth to the offense. 

Midfield 

The strength of the team this season will be at midfield, with four 

starters returning from the 2008 squad. With the experience at the 

position, Teeter is expecting the unit to lead the Griffs throughout the 

2009 season. 

“The strength of this year’s team is our midfield,” Teeter said. “We have 

a lot of two-way players that demand a lot from themselves. We are 

going to expect more offensive output from them this season. Midfield is 

probably our deepest position this year.” 

Senior Chelsea Martinez earned first-team All-MAAC honors in 2008, 

posting a team-best 35 goals as a junior. 

The Canisius women’s lacrosse team has taken a number of steps in 

reaching its ultimate goal of a MAAC Championship. Head Coach Scott 

Teeter is hoping that the 2009 campaign is the year that the Griffs make 

the final leap in reaching that mark. 

“Our goal every season is to win a MAAC Championship,” Teeter said. 

“We want to build off our success from last season. We lost in the 

semifinals to a very good team that won the MAAC Championship. We 

are not satisfied with that and that losing taste was not a good one.” 

The Griffs are prepared to take the next step and claim the MAAC 

Championship in 2009. Canisius returns 16 letterwinners and nine 

starters from a team that earned its second trip to the MAAC 

Tournament. 

Attack 

Senior captain Chelsea Martinez, a preseason All-MAAC honoree, will 

shoulder the load at a revamped attacking unit in 2009. A first-team All- 

MAAC selection in 2008, Martinez tied for the team lead with 35 goals 

last season to go along with 39 ground balls, 24 draw controls and 19 

caused turnovers. 

“Chelsea is going to lead our offense this season and not from a feeding 

role,” Teeter said. “We need her to build off her success last season and 

Leading the unit will be senior Ashley Gray, junior captain Brett 

Poissant and sophomore Emily Maguire. Gray, who is a member of the 

preseason All-MAAC Team, was tied for the team lead last season with 

35 goals and ranked second with 47 points. Maguire led all freshmen in 

2008 with 31 points and 26 goals. Poissant recorded 17 points, six goals 

and 11 assists plus a team-best 28 draw controls. 

“Ashley, Brett and Emily will lead our midfield unit this season,” Teeter 

said. “All three will be key two-way players and constant threats on 

offense.” 

Junior Marissa Brown and sophomore Jackie Loson will anchor the 

team’s defensive midfield position throughout the 2009 campaign. 

Brown tallied 16 points and 15 goals in addition to 35 ground balls, 22 

draw controls and 17 caused turnovers. Loson played in 17 games as a 

rookie, picking up 15 ground balls and recording 10 caused turnovers. 

“Marissa Brown will play more of a defensive role this season,” Teeter 

said. “We expect her skills to translate nicely and lead our defensive 

midfield position. Jackie Loson’s development in her college career has 

put her in position to earn a starting defensive job this year.” 

Sophomore Kaitlyn Black plus freshmen Rachel Brand, Megan Oosting 

and Theresa Walton will all look to contribute to the team’s success 

during the 2009 season. 

“Kaitlyn Black will and some valuable depth to our offensive midfield 

unit,” Teeter said. “We also have an outstanding trio of freshmen that 

will compete for starting jobs right away.” 

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Se a s o n Pr e v i e w 

Taylor Gray posted 24 points, 17 goals 

and seven assists as a freshman. 

Ashley Gray tied for the team lead 

with 35 goals in 2008. 

Alison Rusak led the Griffs with 23 

caused turnovers as a sophomore. 

Defense 

Junior Alison Rusak, a preseason All-MAAC honoree, and sophomore 

Courtney Welsh are expected to lead the defensive unit for the Griffs 

after having strong seasons in 2008. Rusak led the team with 23 caused 

turnovers in 2008 and picked up 32 ground balls, while Welsh picked up 

27 ground balls. 

“Alison Rusak and Courtney Welsh are going to be required to lead 

our defense,” Teeter said. “Alison is one of the top defenders in the 

conference, using the experience she gained from the World Cup. 

Courtney was quite a surprise last year and we are looking for her to 

continue to her growth as one of the premiere defenders in the MAAC.” 

Senior Shelby Grigg, junior Alyson Brown and freshman Megan Hurley 

will all compete for the final starting position on defense. Brown played 

in 10 games, with Grigg appearing in four contests during the 2008 

campaign. Hurley joins the Griffs from Amherst High School, where she 

earned All-Western New York honors. 

Goaltending 

Allison Daley returns for her sophomore season after a strong rookie 

season with the Griffs. It took Daley two games to set the team’s singlegame 

record for saves (19 against No. 5 Syracuse) and she also broke the 

single-season record for saves with 174 stops. 

“When Allison Daley is healthy, she is probably one of the top 

goaltenders in the conference,” Teeter said. “We will look for her to build 

off her freshman season and anchor our defense this season.” 

Schedule 

The 2009 schedule is highlighted by eight home games plus trips to 

Denver, Duke and Ohio State. 

“This is one of the more challenging schedules that we have put together 

at Canisius,” Teeter said. “Our non-conference schedule will help us 

prepare for the challenges we will face in MAAC play. We are really 

looking forward to our trips to Colorado, North Carolina and Ohio. 

Those trips will be great team-bonding experiences.” 

The Griffs open the season in Denver to face the nationally-ranked 

Pioneers and Fresno State on Feb. 15 and 16. Canisius will then face 

Boston College in its home opener on Feb. 21. The Griffs also host 

Duquesne, Howard, Robert Morris and Navy in non-conference action 

and travel to Binghamton, St. Bonaventure, Duke and Ohio State. 

“One of the keys to our success this season is to prepare ourselves in our 

non-conference schedule,” Teeter said. “We want to be peaking in the 

beginning of April when we open MAAC play.” 

The Griffs open MAAC play with a home contest against Siena on March 

27. Canisius will also host Iona and Manhattan and will face Niagara, 

Fairfield and Marist on the road. 

The top four teams during the MAAC regular season will qualify for the 

conference’s postseason championship. Iona will host the 2008 MAAC 

Championship on April 24 and April 26. 


He a d Co a c h Sc o t t Te e t e r 

Scott Teeter 

Seventh Season 

Canisius ‘02, ‘04 

The 2005 MAAC Coach of the Year, Scott Teeter is in his seventh 

season leading the Canisius women’s lacrosse team. Teeter 

has won 36 games since taking the reins of the Golden Griffin 

program, the second-most wins by a MAAC coach during that 

period. 

Teeter has taken a team that only won 11 games and two 

conference matches before his arrival to new heights during his tenure. In the last four 

seasons, the Griffs have won 35 games and reached the MAAC Tournament in 2006 and 2008, 

including a trip to the championship in 2006. 

Teeter was named the league’s Coach of the Year in just his third season after leading the 

Griffs to an eight-win improvement in 2005. He followed that year up with a school-record 12 

wins, including six against MAAC foes, en route to the MAAC Championship. 

Individual achievements have been a common theme under Teeter’s leadership. He has 

mentored 13 players to earn All-MAAC accolades, while three players were honored with 

postseason individual honors. Elise Crawford and Alana Chan were named MAAC Defensive 

Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, respectively, while Whitney Card picked up MAAC 

Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2006. In 2008, four players earned first-team All-MAAC 

accolades, the most of any school in the conference. 

Before coming to Canisius, Teeter 

served as an assistant women’s 

lacrosse coach at Buffalo State 

College in 2002, where he helped 

guide the program to its best 

finish ever at 5-6. Prior to his 

work at Buffalo State, he served 

as a student-assistant coach and 

team manager for the Canisius 

women’s lacrosse team for four 

years. He helped with instruction 

during practices and also assisted 

with game-day operations. 

Teeter was a four-year 

letterwinner for the Canisius 

College ice hockey team, 

graduating from the school in 

2002. He played field lacrosse 

for his high school in Shelburne, 

Ontario, while also playing box 

lacrosse for the Orangeville 

Northmen in Western Ontario. 

Teeter graduated from Canisius 

with a degree in physical 

education in 2002 and earned 

his master’s degree in physical 

education with a concentration 

in sport psychology and coaching 

from Canisius in 2004. 

The Teeter File 

Coaching Career 

2003- Canisius Head Coach 

2002 Buffalo State Assistant Coach 

1999-2001 Canisius Student Assistant 

Honors 

2005 MAAC Coach of the Year 

Teeter Year-by-Year 

Overall 

MAAC 

W L W L 

2003 0 12 0 6 

2004 1 12 0 6 

2005 9 6 4 3 

2006 12 7 6 1 

2007 5 11 2 5 

2008 9 9 4 2 

TOTAL 36 57 16 23 

Teeter vs. All Opponents 

Opponent Record Pct. Streak 

Binghamton 3-1 .750 W3 

California 0-1 .000 L1 

Central Conn. State 1-1 .500 W1 

Davidson 0-1 .000 L1 

Duquesne 0-2 .000 L2 

Fairfield 3-4 .429 L2 

Gannon 2-5 .286 W1 

Howard 1-1 .500 W1 

Iona 4-0 1.000 W4 

Lehigh 1-0 1.000 W1 

Le Moyne 1-7 .125 L4 

Limestone 1-0 1.000 W1 

Long Island 1-1 .500 W1 

Longwood 0-1 .000 L1 

Manhattan 2-4 .333 W1 

Marist 1-6 .143 L3 

Mercyhurst 1-1 .500 W1 

Navy 0-1 .000 L1 

Niagara 4-3 .571 W4 

Notre Dame 0-3 .000 L3 

Robert Morris 4-0 1.000 W4 

Saint Mary’s (Calif.) 1-0 1.000 W1 

Siena 3-3 .500 W1 

St. Bonaventure 0-4 .000 L4 

St. Francis (Pa.) 2-0 1.000 W2 

Syracuse 0-1 .000 L1 

UC Davis 0-2 .000 L2 

UMBC 0-1 .000 L1 

Vermont 1-0 1.000 W1 

West Chester (Pa.) 0-1 .000 L1 

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Su p p o r t Sta f f 

Lesley Graham 

Assistant Coach 

Second Season 

Ithaca ‘05 

Lesley Graham is in her second season as an assistant coach with the Griffs women’s lacrosse program. 

A 2005 graduate of Ithaca College with a degree in journalism, Graham was a four-year member of the Ithaca women’s 

lacrosse team while playing defense and serving as a team captain during her senior season. For the Bombers, Graham 

played in 58 games and started all 32 games during her final two seasons. Graham had 99 career groundballs and 

recorded a career-high total of 39 as a senior when she earned Empire 8 All-Star First-Team honors. 

After her time at Ithaca, Graham served as an assistant lacrosse coach with the Junior National Under-19 team in Scotland followed by a stint as a 

head lacrosse coach in the Spring-Ford School District in Royersford, Penn. 

Jon Rowan 

Strength & Conditioning Coach 

First Season 

West Virginia Wesleyan ‘94 

Jon Rowan is in his first year as the head strength and conditioning coach for the Canisius College athletic department, 

joining the Golden Griffins in September 2008. 

Rowan comes to Canisius after serving as the head strength and conditioning coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 

for the past 10 years. At RPI, he was responsible for designing, teaching and implementing year-long training and 

conditioning for the Engineers’ 23 varsity sports programs while also working with various faculty, staff and students. 

He was the supervisor and fitness educator for a 30-person student staff and also assisted with the development for the school’s weight room and 

strength and conditioning equipment. 

Rowan has served as a consultant for player performance for the Albany Conquest, an arena football team that competes in the AFL2. In addition 

to his strength and conditioning duties at RPI, Rowan spent five seasons as a defensive backs coach for the school’s football program. He was also an 

assistant football coach at Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C., and at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, W.Va. 

A 1994 graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College, Rowan has certifications with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and he is an 

IFA Certified Sports Nutritionist and an IFA Certified Senior Fitness Instructor. 

Koki Takano 

Athletic Trainer 

First Season 

Koki Takano enters his first year as an assistant athletic trainer at Canisius College. His primary responsibilities lie with 

hockey, cross country and women’s lacrosse. He also serves as an adjunct professor and clinical instructor in the CAATE 

Accredited Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program. 

Takano comes to Canisius after serving internships with the New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York 

Dragons. During his time at Long Island University, Takano served as a Teaching Fellow within the CAATE Accredited 

Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program. 

He is a certified instructor of CPR/AED through the American Red Cross and a Performance Enhancement Specialist certified through The National 

Academy of Sports Medicine. The Sapporo, Japan native, is currently an active member of the National Athletic and New York State Athletic Trainer’s 

Associations. 


2009 Ro s t e r 

Numerical Roster 

No. Name Cl. Pos. Ht. Hometown/High School 

00 Sarah Podlesh Sr. GK 5-7 Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford-Sutherland 

1 Allison Daley So. GK 5-4 Peterborough, Ontario/Crestwood 

2 Ashley Gray Sr. M 5-3 Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker 

3 Alison Rusak Jr. D 5-3 Orangeville, Ontario/Orangeville 

4 Taylor Gray So. A 5-5 Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker 

5 Courtney Welsh So. D 5-5 Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker 

6 Brianne Laffey So. A 5-1 Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair 

7 Shelby Grigg Sr. D 5-7 Watertown, N.Y./Watertown 

9 Meagan Hurley Fr. D 5-4 Amherst, N.Y./Amherst 

10 Brett Poissant Jr. M 5-4 Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger 

11 Kaitlyn Black So. M 5-2 Finleyville, Pa./Seton-La Salle 

12 Emily Maguire So. M 5-5 Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker 

13 Marissa Brown Jr. M 5-4 Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran 

14 Shannon Callahan Sr. A 5-7 Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park 

15 Kristy Wilensky Fr. A 5-5 Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran 

16 Theresa Walton Fr. M 5-4 Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham 

18 Alyson Brown Jr. D 5-10 West Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta 

19 Carly Quinn So. A 5-7 Orangeville, Ontario/Orangeville 

20 Jackie Loson So. M 5-5 Newark, N.Y./Newark 

22 Ashley Curtis So. A 5-4 Peterborough, Ontario/St. Peter’s 

23 Chelsea Martinez Sr. A 5-7 Bethpage, N.Y./Plainedge 

24 Megan Oosting Fr. M 5-7 Lakefield, Ontario/Lakefield District 

25 Rachel Brand Fr. M 5-4 Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger 

26 Nicole Shea Fr. A 5-7 Hamburg, N.Y./Hamburg 

Roster Breakdown 

Captains 

Chelsea Martinez 

Brett Poissant 

By Class 

Freshman................................... 5 

Sophomore............................... 9 

Junior......................................... 4 

Senior......................................... 4 

By Position 

Attack......................................... 7 

Midfielder................................. 9 

Defender................................... 5 

Goalkeeper............................... 1 

Pronunciation Guide 

Loson......................... LOW-son 

Oosting...................... OU-sting 

Poissant......................POY-sant 

Rusak.......................... rew-ZAK 

Wilensky................. wa-LIN-ski 

Head Coach: Scott Teeter (Canisius ‘02), Seventh season 

Assistant Coach: Lesley Graham (Ithaca ‘02) 

Alphabetical Roster 

No. Name Cl. Pos. Ht. Hometown/High School 

11 Kaitlyn Black So. M 5-2 Finleyville, Pa./Seton-La Salle 

25 Rachel Brand Fr. M 5-4 Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger 

18 Alyson Brown Jr. D 5-10 West Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta 

13 Marissa Brown Jr. M 5-4 Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran 

14 Shannon Callahan Sr. A 5-7 Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park 

22 Ashley Curtis So. A 5-4 Peterborough, Ontario/St. Peter’s 

1 Allison Daley So. GK 5-4 Peterborough, Ontario/Crestwood 

2 Ashley Gray Sr. M 5-3 Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker 

4 Taylor Gray So. A 5-5 Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker 

7 Shelby Grigg Sr. D 5-7 Watertown, N.Y./Watertown 

9 Meagan Hurley Fr. D 5-4 Amherst, N.Y./Amherst 

6 Brianne Laffey So. A 5-1 Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair 

20 Jackie Loson So. M 5-5 Newark, N.Y./Newark 

12 Emily Maguire So. M 5-5 Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker 

23 Chelsea Martinez Sr. A 5-7 Bethpage, N.Y./Plainedge 

24 Megan Oosting Fr. M 5-7 Lakefield, Ontario/Lakefield District 

00 Sarah Podlesh Sr. GK 5-7 Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford-Sutherland 

10 Brett Poissant Jr. M 5-4 Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger 

19 Carly Quinn So. A 5-7 Orangeville, Ontario/Orangeville 

3 Alison Rusak Jr. D 5-3 Orangeville, Ontario/Orangeville 

26 Nicole Shea Fr. A 5-7 Hamburg, N.Y./Hamburg 

16 Theresa Walton Fr. M 5-4 Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham 

5 Courtney Welsh So. D 5-5 Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker 

15 Kristy Wilensky Fr. A 5-5 Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran 

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Ca p ta i n Pr o f il e s 

Chelsea Martinez • #23 

Senior • Attack • 5-7 

Bethpage, N.Y./Plainedge HS 

2008: Named to the All-MAAC First Team … Earned 

MAAC All-Tournament Team honors … Played in all 18 

games with 16 starts … Tied for the team lead with 35 

goals and added two assists for 37 points … Ranked 10th 

in the MAAC with 1.94 goals per game … Scored at least 

one goal in 17 games … Led the team with 39 ground balls … Finished second on the 

team with 19 caused turnovers and fourth with 24 draw controls … Notched a career-best 

six goals against Marist … Recorded three-consecutive hat tricks against 

Navy, UC Davis and Siena … Also scored three goals against Niagara and Manhattan 

… Picked up a season-best six ground balls at Iona … Recorded five draw controls 

against Robert 

Morris … Registered 

three caused turnovers 

versus Lehigh, 

Howard and Fairfield. 

2007: Played in 16 

games and finished 

tied for fourth in 

goals with 14… Finished 

seventh on the 

team with 16 points… 

Tied for fifth with 24 

groundballs, third 

with 20 draw controls 

and was fourth 

with 13 caused turnovers… 

Posted a season 

best four goals 

against Manhattan … 

Had five groundballs 

against Notre Dame 

and Siena … Had five 

draw controls against 

Le Moyne … Tallied 

three caused turnovers 

against Robert 

Morris and against 

Marist. 

Brett Poissant • #10 

Junior • Midfielder • 5-4 

Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger HS 

2008: Played in all 18 games with 15 starting assignments 

… Recorded 17 points on 11 goals and six assists 

… Posted a team-leading 28 draw controls … Added 19 

ground balls and 12 caused turnovers … Matched a career 

high with four points on two goals and two assists 

against St. Bonaventure … Recorded three points on a pair of goals and an assist 

against UC Davis … Also tallied two scores against Robert Morris and LeMoyne 

… Registered a season-best four draw controls against Binghamton … Matched a 

personal best with four ground balls against Siena and added three draw controls 

and two caused turnovers. 

2007: Led Canisius freshmen in all three scoring categories with 14 goals, eight assists 

and 22 points … Finished fourth in goals and points overall … First on the team 

with 30 draw controls … Third on the team with 27 groundballs … Fifth with 11 

caused turnovers … Had career-high three assists in first game against California … 

Had career-high three goals against Robert Morris … Tallied multiple groundballs 

10 times, including a high of four against Robert Morris … Had four or more draw 

controls four times, including five against California … Named MAAC Rookie of 

the Week twice. 

Before Canisius: First-team All-Central New York as a senior after recording 62 

goals and 17 assists … Named third-team All-Central New York in 2004 and competed 

for Central at the 2005 Empire State Games … Also first-team all-league in 

2004 and team MVP in 2004 and 2005 …. Tallied 173 career goals and 39 assists. 

Personal: Born Feb. 

20, 1988 in Syracuse, 

N.Y. … The daughter 

of Mark and Susan 

Poissant … Has two 

older siblings, Eric 

and Jordan … Majoring 

in psychology. 

2006: Played in all 19 games as a defensive midfielder and started 18 contests… 

Tied for third on the team with 48 groundballs … Also recorded 24 draw controls 

and 23 caused turnovers … Tallied 17 goals and one assist … Had five groundballs 

at Manhattan and six in the MAAC Tourney versus Fairfield … Posted three goals 

and an assist at Iona … Scored four goals versus Niagara. 

Before Canisius: Earned four letters at Plainedge High School, where she earned 

all-conference and all-county honors … Set a new school record with 80 goals in 

2005 to go along with 30 assists and 52 groundballs … Also set school records with 

11 goals and 16 points in a 19-14 win over Carle Place in 2005. 

Personal: Born April 21, 1987 in Mineola, N.Y. … The daughter of Karen and Arty 

Martinez … Has a sister, Courtney, and a brother, Dean … Majoring in marketing. 

Martinez’s Career Statistics 

Year GP-GS Goals Assists Points GB DC CT 

2006 19-18 17 1 18 48 24 23 

2007 16-11 14 2 16 24 20 13 

2008 18-16 35 2 37 24 20 19 

Totals 53-45 66 5 71 111 68 55 

Poissant’s Career Statistics 


2007 15- 8 14 8 22 27 30 11 

2008 18-15 11 6 17 19 28 12 

Totals 33-23 25 14 39 46 58 23 


Pl a y e r Pr o f il e s 

Kaitlyn Black • #11 

Sophomore • Midfielder • 5-2 

Finleyville, Pa./Seton-La Salle HS 

2008: Played in four 

games during her rookie 

season … Tallied a goal 

in wins against Howard 

and Niagara … Picked up 

one ground ball against Howard. 

Before Canisius: Four-year letterwinner at Seton- 

La Salle High School … Earned Pennsylvania All- 

Star accolades … Named a US Lacrosse Academic 

All-American … Qualified for the state championship 

in cross country. 

Personal: Born July 26, 1989 in Pittsburgh, Pa. … 

Daughter of Terence and Mary Black … Three sisters, 

Jessica, Trisha and Leah … Majoring in sport administration. 

Black’s Career Statistics 


2008 4-0 2 0 2 1 0 0 


games … Recorded 

one caused turnover, 

one draw 

control and one 

ground ball against Niagara … Also scooped 

up one ground ball against St. Bonaventure. 

2007: Played in 13 games … Had eight 

groundballs and three draw controls … Recorded 

season-high four groundballs against 

Manhattan. 

Alyson Brown • #18 

Junior • Defender • 5-10 

West Henrietta, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta HS 

Before Canisius: Played three years of lacrosse 

at Rush-Henrietta High School … 

Earned first-team all-county and first team 

all-league honors … Royal Comets went to 

state semifinals during her junior year … Team 

won three league titles … Played three years of volleyball and was named all-county 

… Earned school’s Female Sportsmanship Award … Inducted into Henrietta Hall of 

Fame. 

Personal: Born May 6, 1988 in Henrietta, N.Y. … The daughter of Phillip and Michiko 

Brown …Has one brother, Zachary … Majoring in political science … Mother 

swam at SUNY Brockport and Monroe Community College. 

2008: One of four players to start all 18 games for the 

Griffs … Recorded 16 points on 15 goals and one assist 

… Also registered 35 ground balls, 22 draw controls and 

17 caused turnovers … Scored a career-best four goals 

in a victory over Lehigh, including an overtime score … 

Tallied a hat trick against Navy … Scored two goals in wins against Binghamton 

and Gannon … Matched a career high with four draw controls against Howard 

… Recorded a season-best three caused turnovers against Binghamton … Picked 

up a season-best four ground balls against Iona and Manhattan … Named to the 

MAAC All-Academic Team. 

2007: Finished sixth on the team and second among freshmen with 20 points … 

Tied for fifth on the team with 13 goals and 24 groundballs … Also was fifth with 

seven assists … Second on the team with 29 draw controls and tied for first with 

18 caused turnovers … Started season with at least one point in nine-consecutive 

games and recorded a point in 13-of-16 overall … Had a seven-game goal streak 

… Scored a season-high three goals in season’s final game against Iona … Season 

highs of five groundballs against Vermont and four caused turnovers against 

Duquesne … Recorded four draw controls on three separate occasions. 

Before Canisius: 

Named first-team 

All-Central New York 

as a senior … Tallied 

24 goals, 12 assists 

and 77 groundballs … 

Earned second-team 

All-Central New York 

honors as a junior after 

tallying 24 goals, 

19 assists and 95 

groundballs for Corcoran 

High School … 

Had 55 goals, 24 assists 

and 349 groundballs 

during her career 

… Co-captain of Central’s 

bronze medal 

team at the 2005 

Empire State Games 

and helped Central 

to a gold medal at the 

2004 games … Named 

first-team all-league 

in 2006 and 2005, 

second-team in 2004 

and received honorable 

mention in 2002 

and 2003. 

Marissa Brown • #13 

Junior • Midfielder • 5-4 

Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran HS 

Personal: Born Nov. 1, 1988 in Syracuse, N.Y. … The daughter of Jerry and Terry 

Brown … Two younger brothers, Connor and Dillon … Majoring in physical education/health. 

Brown’s Career Statistics 


2007 13-5 0 0 0 8 3 1 

2008 10-0 0 0 0 2 1 1 

Totals 23-5 0 0 0 10 4 2 

Brown’s Career Statistics 


2007 16-16 13 7 20 24 29 18 

2008 18-18 15 1 16 35 22 17 

Totals 34-34 28 8 36 59 51 35 

8 

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Shannon Callahan • #14 

Senior • Attack • 5-7 

Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park HS 

2008: Played in six games with one starting assignment 

… Recorded a personal best three assists in a victory 

over Howard … Picked up one ground ball against Niagara 

… Named to the MAAC All-Academic Team. 

2007: Played in six games and had first career point with an assist in win against 

Saint Mary’s (CA) … Named to the MAAC All-Academic Team. 

2006: Played in five games and registered one shot in her debut season with the 

Blue and Gold. 

Before Canisius: Played four years of lacrosse at Orchard Park High School … 

Named team captain of the varsity team in 2005 … Also lettered in field hockey 

for three seasons. 

Personal: Born Sept. 17, 1987 in Houston, Texas … The daughter of Patrick and 

Sandy Callahan … Has a younger brother, Sean, and a younger sister, Kelly … Her 

uncle Kevin, and aunt Sharie both attended Canisius … Enjoys snowboarding … 

Majoring in management. 

Callahan’s Career Statistics 


2006 5-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

2007 6-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 

2008 6-1 0 3 3 1 0 0 

Totals 17-3 0 4 4 1 0 0 

Allison Daley • #1 

Sophomore • Goalkeeper • 5-4 

Peterborough, Ontario/Crestwood SS 

2008: Started all 18 games in goal … Posted a goals against 

average of 11.99 and a save percentage of .445 … Registered 

a school-record 174 saves … Ranked 17th in the country with 

9.67 saves per game … Two-time MAAC Defensive Player of 

the Week … Earned the honor for the first time after setting 

the program’s standard with 19 saves against No. 5 Syracuse … Named the Defensive 

Player of the Week for a second time after posting a goals against average of 8.71 and 

a save percentage of .542 in three victories against Binghamton, Gannon and Lehigh … 

Recorded double-digit saves 10 times during the season … Also recorded 35 ground balls 

and 13 caused turnovers during the season. 

Before Canisius: Team captain of Kawartha Lacrosse Club … Named Goalie of the 

League during the 2005 season and Graduating Player of the Year in 2006 … Earned 

Rookie of the Year accolades in 2003 … Member of the U19 Canadian National Team 

that competed at the 2007 IFWLA World Championship, finishing fourth … Named to 

the World Team at the championship … Won RBC Player of the Game honors in Canada’s 

9-5 win against England … Earned the “Heart of Lacrosse” award for Team Canada, given 

to one member from each team who is described as the most selfless player … Played for 

Team Ontario in 2005 … Also was a two-time captain for the field hockey team, leading 

Crestwood to four all-area championships … Earned MVP honors in 2006. 

Personal: Born June 4, 1988 in Peterborough, Ontario … Daughter of Ernie and Doreen 

Daley … One brother, Alex … Majoring in physical education. 

Daley’s Career Statistics 

Year GP-GS Min. GA GAA Saves Pct. Record 

2008 18-18 1086:00 217 11.99 174 .445 9-9 

Ashley Gray • #2 

Senior • Midfielder • 5-3 

Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker HS 

2008: Named to the All-MAAC First Team … Played in 

17 games with 14 starts … Tied for the team lead with 

35 goals … Ranked eighth in the MAAC with 2.06 goals 

per game … Finished second on the team with 47 points 

and 12 assists … Ranked 10th in the MAAC with 2.76 

points per game … Scored at least one goal in 16-of-17 games during the season … 

Recorded a season-best five points on three goals and two assists against No. 12 

Notre Dame … Posted two goals, two assists, seven ground balls and four caused 

turnovers against Robert Morris … Also became the third player in school history 

to record her 100th career point against the Colonials … Tallied a season-best four 

goals against Gannon … Recorded hat tricks against the Fighting Irish, Howard, 

Siena, Niagara and Iona … Posted a team-best three points against Marist in the 

MAAC Tournament on two goals and an assist … Registered multiple goals 12 

times during the season … Finished the season with 27 ground balls, 12 caused 

turnovers and seven draw controls. 

2007: Named to the All-MAAC Second 

Team … Led Canisius with 32 goals 

and ranked second with 10 assists … 

One of two players on the team with 

double-digit totals in points and assists 

… Finished fourth on the team 

with 26 groundballs … Tied for third 

with 20 draw controls … Had seasonhigh 

six points against Siena and Iona … 

Recorded multiple goals in nine games 

and had four goals three times … Tied 

career high with three assists against 

Siena … Tallied three caused turnovers 

four times and seven groundballs 

against Saint Mary’s (Ca.) … Earned 

Offensive Player of the Week honors 

Feb. 27. 

2006: Earned second-team All-MAAC 

honors … Set Canisius freshman records 

with 50 points and 19 assists … 

Ranked second on the team with 31 goals … Tied for sixth in the league in assists 

and ranked fourth in caused turnovers (29) and fifth in groundballs (67) … Ranked 

16th in the country in groundballs … Also posted 28 draw controls … Registered 

eight groundballs against St. Francis (Pa.) and Niagara … Had six caused turnovers 

in Canisius debut … Tallied six goals and two assists versus Binghamton … Had four 

scores versus Robert Morris and Fairfield. 

Before Canisius: Tallied 35 goals and 34 assists in 2005 at C.W. Baker High School 

en route to earning first-team All-Central New York honors and honorable mention 

All-America accolades (Laxpower.com) … Tallied 112 goals, 92 assists and 249 

groundballs for her career … Also earned three letters in soccer and was named 

second-team All-Central New York. 

Personal: Born March 21, 1987 in Syracuse, N.Y. … The daughter of Skip and Joni 

Gray … Has five siblings, including a twin sister, McKenzie, who plays lacrosse at 

MAAC rival Le Moyne … Sister, Sara, played lacrosse at UMass … Sister, Elizabeth, 

played lacrosse at Cortland … Sister, Taylor, is a sophomore on the Canisius lacrosse 

team … Majoring in physical education. 

Gray’s Career Statistics 


2006 19-18 31 19 50 67 28 29 

2007 16-16 32 10 42 26 20 8 

2008 17-14 35 12 47 27 7 12 

Totals 52-48 98 41 139 120 55 49 



Taylor Gray • #4 

Sophomore • Attack • 5-5 


2008: Played in 17 games with 10 starting assignments 

… Recorded 24 points on 17 goals and seven assists … 

Added 19 ground balls, seven draw controls and three 

caused turnovers … Set career highs with six points, 

four goals and two assists against Manhattan to help 

the Griffs clinch a berth in the MAAC Championship … Also recorded a hat trick 

against St. Bonaventure … Tallied two goals against Marist in the MAAC Semifinals 

… Picked up a career-best six ground balls against Iona. 

Before Canisius: Four-year letterwinner at C.W. Baker High School … Earned firstteam 

all-league and second-team All-CNY honors in 2006 … Also named to the 

All-League Second Team in 2004 and 2005 … Earned All-CNY accolades in 2005 

and received honorable mention in 2004. 

Personal: Born September 18, 1989 in Baldwinsville, N.Y. … Daughter of Skip and 

Joni Gray … Sisters, Ashley and McKenzie, both play Division I lacrosse … Ashley is 

a member of the Canisius program, while McKenzie plays for rival LeMoyne. 

Gray’s Career Statistics 


2008 17-10 17 7 24 19 7 3 

Shelby Grigg • #7 

Senior • Defender • 5-7 

Watertown, N.Y./Watertown HS 

2008: Played in four games … Recorded one ground ball 

against Niagara … Named to the IWLCA Academic Honor 

Roll … Named to the MAAC All-Academic Team. 

2007: Played in nine games and had two goals… Both 

goals came against Niagara … Also had three groundballs, two draw controls and 

two caused turnovers … Tallied career-high two groundballs against Duquesne … 

Named to the MAAC All-Academic Team. 

2006: Played in 10 games and started one … Registered two goals, two assists, 

two groundballs, two caused turnovers and two draw controls … Tallied a goal and 

an assist at Iona … Also scored versus Binghamton. 

Before Canisius: Earned four letters at Watertown High School and led her team 

in assists in 2005 with 14 helpers to go along with 15 goals … Registered 31 goals 

and 23 assists during her career but only played three games in 2004 as an ankle 

injury forced her out of action. 

Personal: Born Jan. 9, 1987 in Watertown, N.Y. … The daughter of Douglas and 

Renee Grigg … Has a sister, Lindsey, who played lacrosse for Clarkson … Majoring 

in physical education/health. 

Grigg’s Career Statistics 


2006 10-1 2 2 4 2 2 2 

2007 9-0 2 0 2 3 2 2 

2008 4-0 0 0 0 1 0 0 

Totals 23-1 4 2 6 6 4 4 

Brianne Laffey • #6 


Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair HS 


games and started 

two games … Recorded 

four points, three 

goals, one assist, eight 

ground balls and five draw controls … Registered 

a career-best three points on two goals and one 

assist against Niagara … Also tallied a goal against 

Siena … Scooped up a personal-best four ground 

balls against Iona. 

Before Canisius: Team captain at Upper St. Clair 

High School … Named a second-team WPIAL All- 

Star and Section 3 All-Star as a senior … Received 

WPIAL Section 3 All-Star honors as a junior … 

Earned the Nancy Stewart Leadership Award … 

Also a member of the cross country team. 

Personal: Born April 21, 1989 in Pittsburgh, Pa. … Daughter of Dennis and Chris 

Laffey … One sister, Bridget, one brother, Brendan … Majoring in early childhood 

education. 

Laffey’s Career Statistics 


2008 14-2 3 1 4 8 5 0 

2008: Played in 

17 games and 

made one start 

… Recorded 15 

ground balls, 10 

caused turnovers and three draw controls 

… Recorded a career-best three caused 

turnovers against Niagara … Picked up a 

season-high two ground balls on five occasions 

… Recorded two draw controls against 

Howard. 

Before Canisius: Earned three letters at 

Newark High School … Recorded 25 goals, 

seven assists and 15 draw controls during 

her senior season … Earned first-team All- 

League and Team MVP honors as a junior 

and senior … Also a member of the volleyball 

and basketball teams. 

Jackie Loson • #20 


Newark, N.Y./Newark HS 

Personal: Born May 23, 1989 in Newark, N.Y. … Daughter of Joe and Korie Loson 

… One sister, Jessica, and one brother, Justin … Majoring in communications. 

Loson’s Career Statistics 


2008 17-1 0 0 0 15 3 10 

10 

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Emily Maguire • #12 



2008: Played in all 18 games with 14 starting assignments 

… Recorded 31 points on 26 goals and five assists 

… Led the team with three-game-winning goals … 

Added 27 draw controls, 26 ground balls and 12 caused 

turnovers … Tallied at least one goal in 14 of the final 15 

games and scored at least two goals nine times … Posted a season-best four goals, 

five ground balls and four caused turnovers in an overtime victory over Lehigh … 

Matched a career high with four points on three goals and an assist against Manhattan 

… Tallied a team-best three points on two goals and an assist versus Marist 

in MAAC Semifinals … Registered a personal-best four draw controls against No. 

12 Notre Dame. 

Before Canisius: Four-year letterwinner at C.W. Baker … Named to the Class 

AA First Team as a junior and earned MVP honors … Also picked up Onondaga 

All-League and first-team Galaxy Conference accolades … Member of the Empire 

State Team … Also a member of the soccer team, earning OHSL First Team and 

MVP honors. 

Personal: Born June 23, 1989 in Syracuse, N.Y. … Daughter of Craig and Nora 

Maguire … Sisters, Erin and Ashlyn, both played Division I lacrosse … Majoring in 

digital media arts. 

Maguire’s Career Statistics 


2008 18-14 26 5 31 26 27 12 

Carly Quinn • #19 


Orangeville, Ontario/Orangeville SS 

2008: Appeared in 18 games with nine starting assignments 

… Recorded 15 points on seven goals and eight 

assists … Added 32 ground balls, 22 draw controls and 

15 caused turnovers … Set career highs with five points, 

three goals, seven ground balls and three draw controls 

and three caused turnovers against Howard … Scored the final goal of the game in 

a 10-9 victory over Robert Morris … Also tallied the game-winning score against 

Gannon … Recorded a season-best three assists against Manhattan. 

Before Canisius: Member of the U-19 Canadian National Team that finished 

fourth at the 2007 Junior World Cup … Played for the Orangeville Northmen club 

team … Named the U15 Most Valuable Player in 2002 and the 2003 Rookie of the 

Year … Earned U20 Rookie of the Year accolades in 2004 … Played four years for 

the Ontario Provincial Team … Also a member of the Orangeville volleyball team 

… Earned the Ontario Volleyball Award of Excellence in 2003 and named the Orangeville 

Secondary School Junior Girls MVP in 2004. 

Before Canisius: Born April 17, 1989 in Newmarket, Ontario … Daughter of Stephen 

and Martha Quinn … One sister, Tori … Majoring in physical education/ 

health. 

Quinn’s Career Statistics 


2008 18-9 7 8 15 32 22 15 

Alison Rusak • #3 

Junior • Defender • 5-3 

Orangeville, Ontario/Orangeville SS 

2008: One of four players 

to start all 18 games 

… Led the team with 23 

caused turnovers and 

added 32 ground balls 

and six draw controls … Posted multiple caused 

turnovers 10 times during the season, including 

a season-high three against Marist … Picked up a 

season-best three ground balls on five occasions … 

Named to the MAAC All-Academic Team. 

2007: Played in all 16 games and was second on 

the team with 38 groundballs … Finished fourth in 

the MAAC in groundballs per game (3.14) in conference 

games … Also had 18 caused turnovers, 

which tied for first on the squad … Season-high six 

groundballs came at Fairfield … Had multiple groundballs in 11 contests … Forced 

multiple caused turnovers on six occasions, including three in three separate games 

… Named to 2007 Canadian Under-19 Women’s Field Lacrosse Team. 

Before Canisius: Played for the Orangeville Northmen club team, where she was 

named the U-15 Most Valuable Graduating Player in 2002 and the U-19 Most Valuable 

Rookie in 2003 … She played in all 19 games in 2005 and posted two goals for 

the Northmen … Also played basketball in High School. 

Personal: Born Feb. 25, 1988 in Brampton, Ontario … The daughter of Paul and 

Nancy Rusak … Has one brother, Jeffrey … Majoring in physical education. 

Rusak’s Career Statistics 


2007 16-16 0 0 0 38 2 18 

2008 18-18 0 0 0 32 6 23 

Totals 34-34 0 0 0 70 8 41 

Courtney Welsh • #5 

Sophomore • Defender • 5-5 


2008: Started all 17 games she played in … Recorded 27 

ground balls, six caused turnovers and three draw controls 

… Picked up a career high six ground balls against 

Gannon … Added five ground balls and a season-best 

two caused turnovers against Robert Morris. 

Before Canisius: Played three years at C.W. Baker High School … Recorded 40 

ground balls and 30 caused turnovers as a senior … Earned first-team All-League 

accolades … Also a member of the soccer team, earning All-League First Team 

honors. 

Personal: Born October 9, 1988 in Lancaster, Pa. … Daughter of Hal and Pat 

Welsh … Father played baseball at Bowling Green … Sister, Jennifer, was a member 

of the swimming and diving team at SUNY Brockport … Two brothers, Kyle and 

Alex … Kyle was a member of the gymnastics team at West Point … Majoring in 

education. 

Welsh’s Career Statistics 


2008 17-17 0 0 0 27 3 6 



Rachel Brand • #25 

Freshman • Midfielder • 5-4 

Syracuse, N.Y./Henninger HS 

Before Canisius: Earned four letters at Henninger High 

School … Team captain her senior season … Named 

Team MVP … Earned first-team all-league as well as 

second-team All-CNY honors … Named an Academic 

All-American. 

Personal: Born May 28, 1990 in Syracuse, N.Y. … Daughter of Frederick and Kathleen 

Brand … Majoring in psychology. 

Ashley Curtis • #22 


Peterborough, Ontario/St. Peter’s HS 

Before Canisius: Member of the Niagara lacrosse team 

during the Fall 2007 season … Played four years at St. 

Peter’s … Earned Athlete of the Year and Team MVP 

honors four times while at St. Peter’s. 

Personal: Born Oct. 3, 1989 in Peterborough, Ontario … Daughter of Bob and 

Norma Curtis … One brother, Nick, and one sister, Madeline … Majoring in physical 

education/health. 

Megan Hurley • #9 

Freshman • Defender • 5-4 

Amherst, N.Y./Amherst HS 

Megan Oosting • #24 


Lakefield, Ontario/Lakefield District SS 

career assists. 

Before Canisius: Played four seasons at the varsity 

level at Amherst High School … Named to the All-WNY 

team and also picked up All-ECIC accolades … Earned 

NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete honors … Also a member 

of the soccer team, recording 15 career goals and 12 

and field plus volleyball. 

Before Canisius: Played four seasons at Lakefield District 

Secondary School … Earned Team MVP honors 

three times … Led the area in scoring … Member of the 

Ontario U-19 Provincial team … Also competed in badminton, 

basketball, cross country, field hockey, track 

Personal: Born Dec. 17, 1989 in Cleveland, Ohio … Daughter of John and Mary 

Ellen Hurley … Two brothers, Patrick and Christopher … Patrick played lacrosse 

at Roanoke, while Christopher was a member of the lacrosse team at Hobart … 

Grandfather, grandmother, father, three uncles and an aunt all attended Canisius. 

Personal: Born Sept. 18, 1990 in Peterborough, Ontario … Daughter of Allen and 

Lara Oosting … Four brothers, Chris, Eric, Ian and Jason … Majoring in physical 

education. 

Theresa Walton • #16 


Syracuse, N.Y./Nottingham HS 

Before Canisius: Earned three letters at Henninger High 

School … Earned OSHL All-league honors … Named an 

Academic All-American … Also a member of the soccer 

team, earning all-league accolades … Member of National 

Honor Society. 

Personal: Born Aug. 19, 1990 in Syracuse, N.Y. … Daughter of William and Barbara 

Walton … Three siblings, Billy, Mary and Carolyn … Billy played lacrosse at RIT 

… Carolyn plays lacrosse at St. John Fisher … Mary is a diver at LeMoyne College. 

Kristy Wilensky • #15 

Freshman • Attack • 5-5 

Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran HS 

Before Canisius: Earned two varsity letters at Corcoran 

High School … Scored 40 goals her senior season at Corcoran 

High School and added 25 assists … Named to the 

All-CNY Second Team in 2008 and received honorable 

mention in 2007 … Earned all-league honors … Also a 

member of the soccer team, earning All-CNY accolades on two occasions. 

Personal: Born June 14, 1990 in Syracuse, N.Y. … Daughter of David and Maggi 

Wilensky … One sister, Alexis … Majoring in education. 

12 

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2008 In Re v i e w 

2008 Results 

Feb. 15 at No. 12 Notre Dame L, 10-22 

Feb. 20 at No. 5 Syracuse L, 3-24 

March 11 ST. BONAVENTURE L, 10-11 

March 14 at Robert Morris W, 10-9 

March 16 BINGHAMTON W, 9-7 

March 18 GANNON W, 12-9 

March 21 at Lehigh W, 13-12 (OT) 

March 22 at Howard W, 22-6 

March 25 at Navy L, 12-15 

March 28 UC DAVIS L, 11-13 

April 4 SIENA * W, 13-7 

April 6 at Le Moyne L, 5-15 

April 11 MARIST * L, 14-15 

April 13 FAIRFIELD * L, 4-12 

April 16 NIAGARA * W, 23-5 

April 18 at Iona * W, 10-8 

April 20 at Manhattan * W, 15-12 

April 25 vs. Marist ! L, 10-15 

* MAAC Game 

! MAAC Tournament 

Lauren Walsh led the Griffs with 64 points last season, the second-most in 

school history. She also tallied a school-record 42 assists in 2008. 

Individual Statistics 

No. Player GP-GS G A Pts Shots Sh% GW FPG-FPS GB DC TO CT Fouls 

15 Lauren Walsh 18-18 22 42 64 52 .423 1 0-3 15 21 31 4 11 

2 Ashley Gray 17-14 35 12 47 102 .343 1 6-20 27 7 39 12 17 

23 Chelsea Martinez 18-16 35 2 37 67 .522 1 1-5 39 24 20 19 17 

12 Emily Maguire 18-14 26 5 31 68 .382 3 6-13 26 27 29 12 24 

21 Whitney Card 18-17 25 5 30 66 .379 0 6-11 18 6 23 14 22 

4 Taylor Gray 17-10 17 7 24 37 .459 1 3-7 19 7 23 3 4 

10 Brett Poissant 18-15 11 6 17 33 .333 0 0-4 19 28 17 12 29 

13 Marissa Brown 18-18 15 1 16 46 .326 0 3-8 35 22 29 17 33 

19 Carly Quinn 18- 9 7 8 15 22 .318 2 1-5 32 22 24 15 30 

22 Erica Nasca 16-15 4 1 5 13 .308 0 2-54 26 25 15 9 16 

6 Brianne Laffey 14- 2 3 1 4 14 .214 0 0-1 8 5 8 0 4 

8 Janelle Wright 5- 0 2 1 3 5 .400 0 0-1 3 0 2 0 1 

14 Shannon Callahan 6- 1 0 3 3 2 .000 0 0-0 1 0 3 0 0 

11 Kaitlyn Black 4- 0 2 0 2 6 .333 0 0-2 1 0 0 0 2 

16 Lisa Foligno 18- 1 1 0 1 1 1.000 0 0-0 4 8 5 3 12 

9 Emilee Flynn 18- 7 1 0 1 1 1.000 0 0-0 15 3 2 3 6 

20 Jackie Loson 17- 1 0 0 0 3 .000 0 0-0 15 3 6 10 5 

28 Bobbi Jo Harris 5- 5 0 0 0 1 .000 0 0-1 10 2 5 6 11 

18 Alyson Brown 10- 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0-0 2 1 2 1 8 

17 Elizabeth Frediani 3- 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0-0 0 1 0 0 2 

7 Shelby Grigg 4- 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0-0 1 0 1 0 2 

5 Courtney Welsh 17-17 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0-0 27 3 9 6 31 

3 Alison Rusak 18-18 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0-0 32 6 11 23 31 

1 Allison Daley 18-18 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0-0 35 0 32 13 0 

Total 18 206 94 300 539 .382 9 28-86 410 221 343 182 352 

Opponents 18 217 90 307 512 .424 9 38-111 356 238 369 130 314 

No. Player GP-GS Min. GA GAA Saves Sv% W-L Shots Faced 

1 Allison Daley 18-18 1086:00 217 11.99 174 .445 9-9 512 

Totals 18 1086:00 217 11.99 174 .445 9-9 512 

Opponents 18 1086:00 206 11.38 199 .491 9-9 539 


2009 Op p o n e n t s 

Denver • Feb. 15 Fresno State • Feb. 16 Boston College • Feb. 21 

Location......................................................Denver, Colo. 

Nickname.............................................................Pioneers 

Conference............................................................... MPSF 

Coach....................................................................Liza Kelly 

2008 Record...............................................................13-6 

Conf. Record/Finish.......................................... 5-0/1st 

All-Time Series Record.......................... First Meeting 

Last NCAA Tournament....................................... N/A 

Duquesne • Feb. 28 Binghamton • March 3 Howard • March 7 

Location....................................................Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Nickname..................................................................Dukes 

Conference..................................................... Atlantic 10 

Coach....................................................... Michael Scerbo 

2008 Record................................................................. 8-9 

Conf. Record/Finish..........................................5-2/3rd 

All-Time Series Record........................Duquesne, 4-0 


Robert Morris • March 8 Navy • March 13 St. Bonaventure • March 17 

Location........................................ Moon Township, Pa. 

Nickname............................................................Colonials 

Conference...................................................... Northeast 

Coach..............................................................Katy Phillips 

2008 Record...............................................................5-11 

Conf. Record/Finish..........................................4-4/5th 

All-Time Series Record............................Canisius, 4-0 


Duke • March 20 Siena • March 27 Ohio State • March 29 

Location......................................................Durham, N.C. 

Nickname........................................................ Blue Devils 

Conference.................................................................. ACC 

Coach........................................................... Kerstin Kimel 

2008 Record...............................................................13-8 



Last NCAA Tournament.......................................2008 

Iona • April 3 Manhattan • April 5 Niagara • April 8 

Location...........................................New Rochelle, N.Y. 

Nickname...................................................................Gaels 

Conference............................................................. MAAC 

Coach......................................................Michelle Mason 

2008 Record...............................................................7-11 




Location....................................................... Fresno, Calif. 

Nickname.............................................................Bulldogs 

Conference............................................................... MPSF 

Coach................................................................Sue Behme 

2008 Record..................................................... First Year 

Conf. Record/Finish....................................... First Year 



Location..........................................................Vestal, N.Y. 

Nickname............................................................. Bearcats 

Conference.................................................America East 

Coach............................................................Tony Zostant 

2008 Record...............................................................5-11 




Location...................................................Annapolis, Md. 

Nickname....................................................................Mids 

Conference..............................................Patriot League 

Coach......................................................... Cindy Timchal 

2008 Record...............................................................13-4 


All-Time Series Record..................................Navy, 1-0 


Location...............................................Loudonville, N.Y. 

Nickname.................................................................. Saints 


Coach...........................................................Andrea Duffy 

2008 Record...............................................................3-11 


All-Time Series Record................................. Siena, 6-4 


Location....................................................Riverdale, N.Y. 

Nickname............................................................... Jaspers 


Coach............................................................James Drivas 

2008 Record................................................................. 7-7 


All-Time Series Record......................Manhattan, 9-2 


Location.........................................Chestnut Hill, Mass. 

Nickname..................................................................Eagles 

Conference.................................................................. ACC 

Coach........................................................ Bowen Holden 

2008 Record...............................................................7-10 




Location..............................................Washington, D.C. 

Nickname................................................................... Bison 

Conference................................................. Independent 

Coach............................................................................ N/A 

2008 Record...............................................................2-11 

Conf. Record/Finish................................................ N/A 

All-Time Series Record...................................Tied, 1-1 


Location.......................................................... Olean, N.Y. 

Nickname.............................................................. Bonnies 

Conference..................................................... Atlantic 10 

Coach....................................................... Christy Malone 

2008 Record...............................................................4-10 


All-Time Series Record............ St. Bonaventure, 6-1 


Location................................................ Columbus, Ohio 

Nickname............................................................Buckeyes 

Conference...................................................................ALC 

Coach............................................................. Sue Stimmel 

2008 Record...............................................................10-8 



Last NCAA Tournament.......................................2003 

Location.................................................... Lewiston, N.Y. 

Nickname................................................... Purple Eagles 


Coach.........................................................Mike Mansour 

2008 Record...............................................................2-11 


All-Time Series Record..........................Niagara, 10-4 


Fairfield • April 17 

Location...................................................Fairfield, Conn. 

Nickname....................................................................Stags 


Coach......................................................Mike Waldvogel 

2008 Record...............................................................17-2 

Conf. Record/Finish.......................................... 6-0/1st 

All-Time Series Record............................Fairfield, 8-3 


Marist • April 19 

Location...........................................Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 

Nickname..........................................................Red Foxes 


Coach.......................................................Laura Campbell 

2008 Record...............................................................10-9 

Conf. Record/Finish.........................................5-1/2nd 

All-Time Series Record............................ Marist, 11-1 


MAAC Championship 

Location............. New Rochelle, N.Y. (Iona College) 

Dates............................................... April 24 & April 26 

2008 Semifinals 

(1) Fairfield 11, (4) Iona 8 

(2) Marist 15, (3) Canisius 10 

2008 Championship 

Marist 10, Fairfield 9 

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Hi st o r y /Aw a r d s 

Year-by-Year Results 

W - L Pct. MAAC Head Coach Captains 

1998 0-13 .000 0-3 Doug Kohler Michelle McLaren, Farrah Stewart 

1999 1-13 .071 0-6 Doug Kohler Nikki Kosich, Lauren Lukowski 

2000 2-12 .143 0-6 Doug Kohler N/A 

2001 3-12 .200 1-5 Doug Kohler Courtney Greenway, Kristy Grossman, Sara Schmitkons 

2002 4-10 .286 1-5 Doug Kohler Courtney Fletcher, Kristy Grossman, Sara Schmitkons 

2003 0-12 .000 0-6 Scott Teeter Rachelle Held, Sarah Royer 

2004 1-12 .077 0-6 Scott Teeter Stephanie Kott, Shannon Taylor 

2005 9- 6 .600 4-3 Scott Teeter Lindsay Karas, Stephanie Kott 

2006 12- 7 .632 6-1 Scott Teeter Cara Foligno, Stephanie Kott 

2007 5-11 .313 2-5 Scott Teeter Rasheeda Brenton, Erica Nasca, Lauren Walsh, Melissa Wegst 

2008 9- 9 .500 4-2 Scott Teeter Lisa Foligno, Chelsea Martinez, Erica Nasca, Lauren Walsh 

Total 46-117 .282 18-48 

MAAC Honors 

Offensive Player of the Year 

2006 Whitney Card 

Defensive Player of the Year 

2004 Elise Crawford 

2005 Alana Chan 

Coach of the Year 

2005 Scott Teeter 

All-Tournament Team 


Alana Chan 

Erica Nasca 

2008 Chelsea Martinez 

Erica Nasca 

Team Awards 

Kathy Fiore Memorial Award 

1999 Annette Bergsland 

2000 Courtney Fletcher 

Sarah Schmitkons 



2003 Sarah Royer 

2004 Shannon Taylor 

2005 Cara Foligno 

Stephanie Kott 

2006 Erica Nasca 

2007 Lisa Foligno 


Rookie of the Year 

2003 Stephanie Kott 

2004 Elise Crawford 


2006 Ashley Gray 

2007 Marissa Brown 

2008 Allison Daley 

All-MAAC Team 

1999 Kristy Grossman (First Team) 



2002 Kristy Grossman (Second Team) 

2004 Shannon Taylor (Second Team) 

2005 Whitney Card (First Team) 

Alana Chan (First Team) 

2006 Whitney Card (First Team) 

Alana Chan (First Team) 

Stephanie Knott (First Team) 

Ashley Gray (Second Team) 

2007 Ashley Gray (Second Team) 

Erica Nasca (Second Team) 

2008 Ashley Gray (First Team) 

Chelsea Martinez (First Team) 

Erica Nasca (First Team) 

Lauren Walsh (First Team) 

Offensive Most Valuable Player 

2003 Rachelle Held 

2004 Amanda Marts 



2007 Ashley Gray 

2008 Lauren Walsh 

Defensive Most Valuable Player 

2003 Lindsay Karas 

2004 Anne McNall 

2005 Rasheeda Brenton 

Katie Ferguson 



Alison Rusak 


Iron Griff 

2007 Lisa Foligno 


By the Numbers 

2006 

187 

103 

35 

19 

6 

Griffs 

4 

First-team 

The Griffs won a schoolrecord 

12 games in 2006 

and advanced to the MAAC 

Championship for the first 

time in the program’s history. 

Kristy Grossman, a four-time 

All-MAAC honoree, finished 

her career with 187 caused 

turnovers, the third-most in 

NCAA history. 

Lauren Walsh became the 

34th player in NCAA history 

to record 100 career assists 

and finished her career with 

a MAAC-record 103 helpers. 

The Class of 2008 won 35 

games after the Griffs won 

just 11 contests the first seven 

years of the program. 

Allison Daley stopped set a 

school record with 19 saves 

against No. 5 Syracuse in just 

her second collegiate game. 

have played on the Canadian 

U-19 National Team 

(Whitney Card, Ashley Curtis, 

Allison Daley, Bobbi Jo 

Harris, Carly Quinn and Alison 

Rusak). 

All-MAAC selections 

in 2008, the most of 

any team in the conference. 


Ye a r-By-Ye a r Re s u lt s 

Series History 

Kristy Grossman earned All-MAAC honors in each of her four seasons from 1999 to 2002. 

1998 (0-13, 0-3 MAAC) 

Head Coach: Doug Kohler 

3/27 ALFRED L, 0-19 

3/29 MARIST * L, 3-19 

4/2 NIAGARA * L, 2-19 

4/4 at Nazareth L, 1-25 

4/6 BUFFALO STATE L, 7-8 

4/8 RIT L, 2-15 

4/9 at Mercyhurst L, 0-18 

4/19 at Indiana (Pa.) L, 4-14 

4/25 at Duquesne L, 1-20 

4/26 at Oberlin L, 5-16 

4/29 LE MOYNE L, 6-20 

5/2 at Connecticut L, 5-20 

5/3 at Manhattan * L, 2-16 

1999 (1-13, 0-6 MAAC) 


3/20 INDIANA (Pa.) L, 4-7 

3/24 RIT W, 10-8 

3/27 MANHATTAN * L, 3-13 

3/28 DUQUESNE L, 0-22 

4/5 at Alfred L, 1-19 


4/10 FAIRFIELD * L, 1-18 

4/14 at Niagara * L, 5-19 

4/17 at Siena * L, 7-9 

4/18 at Marist * L, 10-17 

4/25 at Wooster L, 6-15 

4/27 at Le Moyne * L, 3-19 

5/1 at Quinnipiac L, 6-19 

5/2 at Sacred Heart L, 3-16 

2000 (2-12, 0-6 MAAC) 


3/11 at Saint Mary’s (Calif.) L, 6-12 

3/13 at UC Davis L, 3-15 

3/18 at Indiana (Pa.) L, 4-12 

3/19 at Ohio University L, 10-19 

3/25 ST. BONAVENTURE W, 12-6 


4/2 at Fairfield * L, 2-23 

4/8 LE MOYNE * L, 7-10 

4/15 SIENA * L, 9-10 

4/16 MARIST * L, 9-14 

4/19 NIAGARA * L, 4-13 

4/22 WOOSTER L, 4-10 

4/24 REGIS W, 8-2 


2001 (3-12, 1-5 MAAC) 


3/18 INDIANA (Pa.) L, 5-9 

3/19 SACRED HEART L, 2-17 

3/21 NIAGARA L, 8-14 

3/25 at Ohio Wesleyan W, 9-8 

3/30 QUINNIPIAC L, 9-15 

3/31 at Le Moyne * L, 10-11 

4/3 ALFRED L, 3-9 



4/10 MERCYHURST L, 5-14 

4/12 at Niagara * L, 6-10 

4/17 at St. Bonaventure L, 3-14 

4/21 at Marist * L, 5-15 

4/22 at Siena * W, 9-7 

5/3 MEDAILLE W, 18-3 

2002 (4-10, 1-5 MAAC) 


3/16 BINGHAMTON W, 26-1 

3/17 ST. FRANCIS (Pa.) W, 19-2 

3/20 ST. BONAVENTURE L, 1-20 

3/23 OHIO WESLEYAN W, 10-5 

3/30 at Quinnipiac L, 6-12 



4/13 SIENA * W, 9-8 

4/14 MARIST * L, 2-11 

4/20 LE MOYNE * L, 7-14 

4/21 OHIO UNIVERSITY L, 1-19 

4/23 MERCYHURST L, 8-9 

4/25 at Alfred L, 10-11 

4/28 NIAGARA * L, 4-13 

Team W - L Pct. Streak 

Alfred 0-4 .000 L4 

Binghamton 4-1 .800 W3 

Boston College First Meeting 

Buffalo State 0-1 .000 L1 

California 0-1 .000 L1 

Central Conn. St. 1-1 .500 W1 

Connecticut 0-1 .000 L1 

Davidson 0-1 .000 L1 

Denver 

First Meeting 

Duke 

First Meeting 

Duquesne 0-4 .000 L4 

Fairfield 3-8 .273 L2 

Fresno State First Meeting 

Gannon 2-5 .286 W1 

Howard 1-1 .500 W1 

Indiana (Pa.) 0-4 .000 L1 

Iona 4-0 1.000 W4 

Lehigh 1-0 1.000 W1 

Le Moyne 1-12 .077 L4 

Limestone 1-0 1.000 W1 

Long Island 1-1 .500 W1 

Longwood 0-1 .000 L1 

Manhattan 2-9 .182 W1 

Marist 1-11 .083 L3 

Medaille 1-0 1.000 W1 

Mercyhurst 1-6 .143 W1 

Navy 0-1 .000 L1 

Nazareth 0-1 .000 L1 

Niagara 4-10 .286 W4 

Notre Dame 0-3 .000 L3 

Oberlin 0-1 .000 L1 

Ohio State First Meeting 

Ohio University 0-2 .000 L2 

Ohio Wesleyan 2-0 1.000 W2 

Quinnipiac 0-3 .000 L3 

Regis 1-0 1.000 W1 

RIT 1-1 .500 W1 

Robert Morris 4-0 1.000 W4 

Sacred Heart 0-2 .000 L2 

Saint Mary’s (Calif.) 1-1 .500 W1 

Siena 4-6 .400 W1 

St. Bonaventure 1-6 .143 L6 

St. Francis (Pa.) 3-0 1.000 W3 

Syracuse 0-1 .000 L1 

UC Davis 0-3 .000 L3 

UMBC 0-1 .000 L1 

Vermont 1-0 1.000 W1 

West Chester (Pa.) 0-1 .000 L1 

Wooster 0-2 .000 L2 

2009 Opponents in bold 

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Ye a r-By-Ye a r Re s u lt s 

2003 (0-12, 0-6 MAAC) 

Head Coach: Scott Teeter 

3/19 NIAGARA L, 2-18 

3/26 at Gannon L, 4-19 

3/30 vs. West Chester (Pa.) L, 3-18 

4/1 at Niagara * L, 4-14 



4/13 at Marist * L, 4-15 

4/14 at Siena * L, 4-12 

4/16 at St. Bonaventure L, 1-19 


4/26 at Le Moyne * L, 4-15 

4/27 GANNON L, 7-12 

2004 (1-12, 0-6 MAAC) 


3/15 LE MOYNE L, 3-22 

3/26 at Gannon L, 6-19 

3/27 at Binghamton L, 8-15 

3/29 NIAGARA L, 3-8 



4/8 at Central Connecticut L, 5-8 

4/12 NIAGARA * L, 5-9 

4/17 HOWARD L, 6-16 

4/18 LE MOYNE * L, 6-13 

4/21 MERCYHURST W, 6-4 

4/24 MARIST * L, 3-11 

4/25 SIENA * L, 8-11 

2005 (9-6, 4-3 MAAC) 


3/11 LONG ISLAND L, 9-13 

3/12 ST. FRANCIS (Pa.) W, 16-1 

3/18 ROBERT MORRIS W, 15-1 


3/30 at Limestone W, 11-5 

3/31 at Davidson L, 10-20 

4/1 at Longwood L, 8-22 

4/9 IONA * W, 19-9 


4/13 GANNON W, 16-11 

4/16 at Marist * L, 8-16 

4/17 at Fairfield * W, 14-12 

4/20 at Niagara * (ot) W, 10-8 

4/22 LE MOYNE * W, 12-11 

4/24 at Siena * L, 6-14 

2006 (12-7, 6-1 MAAC) 


3/9 vs. Long Island W, 9-8 

3/10 GANNON L, 7-10 

3/11 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT W, 13-11 

3/14 at Duquesne L, 6-13 

3/15 at St. Francis (Pa.) W, 11-4 

3/16 at Robert Morris W, 18-12 


3/21 at UMBC L, 8-13 

3/25 at #10 Notre Dame L, 2-18 


Griffs on the Road 

Where Canisius has visited 

North Carolina/South Carolina/Virginia (vs. Davidson/Limestone/Longwood - 2005) 

South Bend, Ind. (vs. Notre Dame - 2006 and 2008) 

California (vs. Cal/Saint Mary’s/UC Davis - 2007) 

Washington, D.C. (vs. Navy/Howard - 2008) 

Denver, Colo. (vs. Denver/Fresno State - 2009) 

Durham, N.C. (vs. Duke - 2009) 

4/1 at Iona * W, 20-8 

4/2 at Manhattan * (ot) W, 12-11 

4/8 MARIST * W, 13-9 

4/9 FAIRFIELD * W, 14-9 

4/19 NIAGARA * W, 16-10 

4/21 at Le Moyne * L, 12-20 

4/23 SIENA * W, 9-8 

4/28 vs. Fairfield ! W, 16-12 

4/30 vs. Le Moyne ! L, 10-15 

2007 (5-11, 2-5 MAAC) 


2/22 at California L, 6-18 

2/24 at Saint Mary’s (Calif.) W, 14-12 

2/25 at UC Davis L, 12-13 

3/3 VERMONT W, 13-10 

3/10 #8 NOTRE DAME L, 8-18 

3/14 at Gannon L, 8-16 

3/15 ROBERT MORRIS W, 15-9 


3/30 LE MOYNE * L, 6-9 

4/1 at Siena * L, 8-12 

4/5 DUQUESNE L, 5-15 

4/10 at Niagara * W, 17-3 


4/14 at Marist * L, 8-15 

4/20 MANHATTAN * L, 10-11 

4/22 IONA * W, 18-15 

2008 (9-9, 4-2 MAAC) 


3/15 at #12 Notre Dame L, 10-22 

3/20 #5 Syracuse L, 3-24 


3/14 at Robert Morris W, 10-9 


3/18 GANNON W, 12-9 

3/21 at Lehigh (ot) W, 13-12 

3/22 at Howard W, 22-6 

3/25 at Navy L, 12-15 

3/28 UC DAVIS L, 11-13 

4/4 SIENA * W, 13-7 

4/6 at Le Moyne L, 5-15 

4/11 MARIST * L, 14-15 

4/13 FAIRFIELD L, 4-12 

4/16 NIAGARA * W, 23-5 

4/18 at Iona * W, 10-8 

4/20 at Manhattan * W, 15-12 

4/25 vs. Marist ! L, 10-15 


Ca r e e r Re c o r d s 

Ground Balls 

Player Years GB 

1. Kristy Grossman 1999-02 215 

2. Erica Nasca 2005-08 138 

3. Rasheeda Brenton 2004-07 137 

4. Rachelle Held 2000-03 133 

5. Ashley Gray 2006- 120 

Draw Controls 

Player Years DC 

1. Erica Nasca 2005-08 114 

2. Alana Chan 2005-06 90 


4. Chelsea Martinez 2006- 68 


Points 

Player Years G A P 

1. Lauren Walsh 2005-08 97 103 200 

2. Whitney Card 2005-08 137 27 164 

3. Ashley Gray 2006- 98 41 139 

4. Alana Chan 2005-06 57 38 95 

5. Erica Nasca 2005-08 68 15 83 

6. Chelsea Martinez 2006- 66 5 71 

7. Lauren Lukowski 1998-00 57 9 66 

8. Rachelle Held 2000-03 49 16 65 

9. Becky Scanlon 2000-02 45 17 62 

Amanda Marts 2004-07 52 10 62 

Goals 

Erica Nasca ranks in the top five in career points, career goals, 

career ground balls and career draw controls. 

Player Years Goals 

1. Whitney Card 2005-08 137 


3. Lauren Walsh 2005-08 97 

4. Erica Nasca 2005-08 68 

5. Chelsea Martinez 2006- 66 

6. Lauren Lukowski 1998-00 57 

Alana Chan 2005-06 57 

8. Amanda Marts 2004-07 52 


10. Becky Scanlon 2000-02 45 

Caused Turnovers 

Player Years CT 


2. Sara Schmitkons 1999-02 72 

3. Courtney Fletcher 2000-02 64 

4. Jennifer Waite 2000-03 62 

5. Alana Chan 2005-06 59 

Scoring Records By Class 

Points 

Freshman 50 Ashley Gray 2006 

Sophomore 65 Whitney Card 2006 

Junior 47 Ashley Gray 2008 

Senior 64 Lauren Walsh 2008 

Goals 

Freshman 41 Whitney Card 2005 

Sophomore 53 Whitney Card 2006 

Junior 35 Ashley Gray 2008 

35 Chelsea Martinez 2008 

Senior 25 Whitney Card 2008 

Assists 

Freshman 15 Alana Chan 2005 

Sophomore 30 Lauren Walsh 2006 

Junior 22 Lauren Walsh 2007 

Senior 42 Lauren Walsh 2008 

Assists 

Player Years Assists 

1. Lauren Walsh 2005-08 103 


3. Alana Chan 2005-06 38 

4. Whitney Card 2005-08 27 

5. Lisa Barbasch 1999-02 19 

6. Courtney Fletcher 2000-02 18 

7. Becky Scanlon 2000-02 17 


9. Erica Nasca 2005-08 15 

10. Awehiyo Thomas 2006-07 14 

Brett Poissant 2007- 14 

18 

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Se a s o n a n d Ga m e Re c o r d s 

Ground Balls 

Player Years GB 

1. Ashley Gray 2006 67 

2. Kristy Grossman 2002 65 



5. Alana Chan 2005 54 

Alana Chan 2006 54 

Draw Controls 

Player Years DC 


2. Awehiyo Thomas 2006 45 


4. Erica Nasca 2005 41 

5. Farrah Stewart 1998 39 

Allison Daley set a school record with 19 saves against Syracuse. 

Season Points 

Player Year G A P 

1. Whitney Card 2006 53 12 65 

2. Lauren Walsh 2008 22 42 64 

3. Lauren Walsh 2006 27 30 57 

4. Ashley Gray 2006 31 19 50 

5. Alana Chan 2005 33 15 48 

6. Alana Chan 2006 24 23 47 

Ashley Gray 2008 35 12 47 

8. Whitney Card 2005 41 5 46 

Lauren Walsh 2007 24 22 46 

10. Ashley Gray 2007 32 10 42 

Season Goals 

Player Year Goals 

1. Whitney Card 2006 53 

2. Whitney Card 2005 41 

3. Erica Nasca 2005 35 

Ashley Gray 2008 35 

Chelsea Martinez 2008 35 




9. Lauren Walsh 2006 27 

10. Emily Maguire 2008 26 

Season Assists 

Player Year Assists 







7. Courtney Fletcher 2001 13 

8. Lisa Barbasch 2001 12 

Whitney Card 2006 12 

Ashley Gray 2008 12 

Caused Turnovers 

Player Years CT 


Kristy Grossman 2001 58 



Courtney Fletcher 2002 32 

Alana Chan 2006 32 

Single-Game Records 

Individual 

Most Points: 10, Alana Chan, vs. Iona, 4/9/05 

10, Lauren Walsh, at Howard, 3/22/08 

Most Goals: 7, Whitney Card, at Iona, 4/1/06 

Most Assists: 6, Lauren Walsh, at Howard, 3/22/08 

Most Saves: 19, Allison Daley, at Syracuse, 2/20/08 

Team 

Most goals: 26, vs. Binghamton, 3/16/02 

Most goals against: 25, vs. Nazareth, 4/4/98 

Whitney Card was named the 2006 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year after setting a 

school records with 65 points and 53 goals. 


Go a lt e n d in g a n d Te a m Re c o r d s 

The Class of 2008 - Erica Nasca, Lisa Foligno, Whitney Card, Lauren Walsh and Emilee Flynn - won 35 games during their career, the most in school history. 

Career Saves 

Player Year GP Saves 

1. Rasheeda Brenton 2004-07 58 508 

2. Sarah Royer 2001-03 39 398 

3. Courtney Greenway 1998-01 51 327 

4. Susan Costanzo 1998-99 24 178 

5. Allison Daley 2008- 18 174 

Career Save Percentage 

Player Year GA Saves Pct. 

1. Sarah Royer 2001-03 407 398 .494 

2. Courtney Greenway 1998-01 392 327 .455 

3. Allison Daley 2008- 217 174 .445 

4. Rasheeda Brenton 2004-07 655 508 .437 

Career Goals Against Average 

Player Year Minutes GA GAA 

1. Allison Daley 2008- 1086 217 11.99 

2. Rasheeda Brenton 2004-07 3153 655 12.46 

3. Sarah Royer 2001-03 1932 407 12.64 

4. Courtney Greenway 1998-01 1777 392 13.23 

Season Saves 

Player Year GP Saves 

1. Allison Daley 2008 18 174 

2. Courtney Greenway 2000 14 156 

3. Rasheeda Brenton 2006 18 149 

4. Sarah Royer 2003 12 144 

5. Rasheeda Brenton 2004 13 136 

Season Save Percentage 

Player Year GA Saves Pct. 

1. Sarah Royer 2001 106 129 .549 

2. Sarah Royer 2002 137 125 .477 

3. Sarah Royer 2003 164 144 .468 

4. Courtney Greenway 2000 182 156 .462 

Season Goals Against Average 

Player Year Minutes GA GAA 

1. Sarah Royer 2002 751 137 10.95 

2. Sarah Royer 2001 550 106 11.56 

3. Rasheeda Brenton 2006 953 189 11.90 

4. Allison Daley 2008 1086 217 11.99 

Team Records 

Most Wins: 12, 2006 

Winning Percentage: .631, 2006 (12-7) 

Most Losses: 13, 1999 

Fewest Losses: 6, 2005 

Winning Streak: 5, 2006 and 2008 

Losing Streak: 28, 2002-04 

Goals Per Game: 11..67, 2005 

Goals Against Average: 10.86, 2002 

Points: 327, 2006 

Goals: 221, 2006 

Assists: 106, 2006 

Ground Balls Per Game: 28.32, 2006 

Draw Controls Per Game: 13.37, 2006 

Caused Turnovers Per Game: 14.40, 2001 

20 

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Ca n i s iu s Co l l eg e 



Canisius College Facts 

Founded: 

Location: 

Campus: 

By German members of 

the Society of Jesus in 

1870. 

The historic Hamlin Park 

neighborhood in the city 

of Buffalo, N.Y. 

62 acres, with most 

buildings connected 

by tunnels or overhead 

walkways 

Academics: More than 1,000 courses 

in 70 majors, minors and 

special programs offered 

through three academic 

divisions. 

Enrollment: 3,490 undergraduate 

1,494 graduate 

Degrees: 

BA, BS, MBA, MBAPA, MS, 

MSEd 

Average Class Size: 17 

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1 

Activities: 25 academic clubs, 20 

service and social clubs, 

16 honor societies, 16 

recreational clubs, 11 

performing arts organizations, 

11 cultural clubs, 

nine publications and 

broadcasting media, three 

Greek life organizations. 

22 

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• Consistently ranked among the top regional colleges in the Northeast, Canisius 

College is one of 28 Jesuit colleges in the nation. 

• Canisius is proud to share in the Jesuit heritage, which offers students a unique 

blend of academic, social and spiritual growth opportunities to prepare them 

to be leaders in their professions, communities and service to humanity. It was 

founded in 1870 by German members of the Society of Jesus. 

• The Canisius campus is located in a residential neighborhood in North-Central 

Buffalo only minutes from downtown Buffalo. The Metro Rail rapid transit 

system connects the college directly to the city’s waterfront, downtown theatre 

district and some of Buffalo’s most exciting sports arenas. 

• There are more than 1,000 courses in over 70 distinct majors, minors and 

special programs offered at Canisius. 

• More than 92 percent of recent Canisius graduates are employed in their fields 

or attending graduate or professional schools. 

• With a student/faculty ratio of 12:1, students have the opportunity to work 

closely with their instructors, often publishing or presenting scholarly articles 

based on joint research. 

• Ninety-five of the 217 full-time faculty at Canisius hold a PhD or other terminal 

degree. 

• Over 100 college-sponsored organizations offer Canisius students experiences 

related to service, the media, student government, academics and religious and 

social interests. 

• Students serve others through opportunities that are offered and encouraged 

through Campus Ministry, including volunteering at area hospitals, tutoring, 

visiting the elderly and staffing local soup kitchens for the poor. 

• President of Canisius College since 1993, Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., has 

demonstrated his leadership and commitment to the college and the Western 

New York community by overseeing the investment of nearly $120 million in 

the Canisius campus over the last 15 years. 

• More than 85 percent of the school’s housing have been built or renovated 

within the last nine years. The College’s newest residence, Dugan Residence 

Hall, opened in the fall 2005 and is now home to 270 freshmen and 

sophomores. 

• All resident accommodations at the College are fully wired to include individual 

Internet service, cable television and local telephone service with voicemail. 

• Apartment-style living is available for students in their sophomore, junior 

or senior years in one of the College’s townhouse complexes or apartment 

buildings. 

• Canisius has nearly 38,000 living alumni, representing every state and numerous 

foreign countries. 

Undergraduate Majors & Programs 

College of Arts and Sciences 

Anthropology 

Art History 

Biochemistry 

Bioinformatics 

Biology 

Chemistry 

Clinical Laboratory Science 

Communication Studies 

Computer Science (BA and BS) 

Criminal Justice 

Digital Media Arts 

Economics (BA) 

English 

Environmental Science 

European Studies 

History 

International Relations 

Mathematics and Statistics 

Modern Languages: French, German, Spanish 

Music 

Philosophy 

Physics 

Political Science 

Psychology 

Religious Studies 

Sociology 

Urban Studies 

Pre-Professional Programs 

Dental Early Assurance of Admission 

Joint Degree Programs: 

Dental Medicine, Optometric Medicine, Osteopathic 

Medicine and Podiatric Medicine 

Medical Early Assurance of Admission 

Pre-Dental 

Pre-Engineering 

Pre-Law 

Pre-Medical 

Pre-Pharmacy 

Pre-Veterinary 

Richard J. Wehle School of Business 

Accounting 

Accounting Information Systems 

Economics (BS) 

Entrepreneurship 

Finance 

Information Systems 

International Business 

Management 

Marketing 

School of Education and Human Services 

Athletic Training/Sports Medicine 

Physical Education/Health Education 

Special Education 

Teacher Education: 

Early Childhood Education (Birth to Grade 2) 

Childhood Education (Grades 1 - 6) 

Adolescence Education (Grades 7 - 12) 


Ac a d e m ic Se r v i c e s 

Canisius College Academic Services provides academic, personal and 

career support programs that foster the total development for the 

student-athletes. A comprehensive program on life skills provides 

student-athletes with educational experiences. Service programs 

preparing students for the demands of a well-balanced lifestyle are also 

provided. Academic Services for Student-Athletes offers the guidance 

and direction needed to prepare student-athletes for success beyond 

graduation. 

Academic Advisor for Athletics Services 

The Academic Advisor for Athletics provides the following support services to 

best serve the student-athletes at Canisius: 

• Provide effective academic advising; conduct individual advising appointments 

with student-athletes who have concerns abut their major choice, progress 

toward graduation, grades, or any other aspects that may impede their success 

toward graduation and NCAA eligibility. 

• Pay particular attention to the “at-risk” student-athletes and students who 

have not yet chosen a major course of study. 

• Schedule meetings with designated student-athletes to assist in the monitoring 

of academic progress. 

• Assist student-athletes with the development of academic recovery plans. 

• Develop travel contracts for student-athletes to share with their course 

instructors. 

• Provide assistant with scholarship and award applications. 

Study Hall/ Tutorial Program 

In order to assist student-athletes in achieving optimal academic performance, 

the Athletic Department provides a Study Hall Program. Study hall is open to all 

student-athletes and is an opportunity to do academic work at consistent time in 

a quiet place where tutors are available to answer questions and concerns. 

Study hall is to be used for course work only. A total of six hours each week are 

required for all first semester freshmen and first semester transfers. 

Emilee Flynn 

2008 IWLCA 

Academic Squad 

Tutoring Services 

The college offers free tutoring to all Canisius College students. If you have 

any questions regarding a tutor, or need assistance setting up a time to meet 

with someone from the College’s Tutorial Program, contact Danielle LaMarre, 

Academic Advisor for Athletics. 

2008 MAAC All-Academic Team 

Marissa Brown 

Physical Ed/Health 

Whitney Card 


Shannon Callahan 

Management 

Emilee Flynn 

Biology 

Lisa Foligno 

Marketing 

Shelby Grigg 


Alison Rusak 

Physical Education 

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Li fe Sk i l l s 

Canisius College has been a participating institution in the 

NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program since 2000-01. 

The CHAMPS/Life Skills Program is designed to: 

• Support efforts of every student-athlete toward intellectual development 

and graduation 

• Use athletics as preparation for success in life 

• Meet the changing needs of student-athletes 

• Enhance interpersonal relationships in the lives of student-athletes 

• Assist student-athletes in building positive self-esteem 

• Enable student-athletes to make meaningful contributions to their 

communities 

• Promote ownership by the student-athletes of their academic, athletic, 

personal and social responsibilities 

• Enhance partnerships between the NCAA, member institutions and 

their communities for the purpose of education 

• Encourage the development of leadership skills 

Student-Athlete of the Year 

Year Female Athlete Male Athlete 

2001 Heather Forester (Synchro) Stephen Fabiili (Hockey) 

2002 Shauna Geronzin (Basketball) Tom Zabawa (Football) 

2003 Jénel Stevens (Basketball) Mark Miyashita (Lacrosse) 

2004 Jénel Stevens (Basketball) Rob Martin (Hockey) 

2005 Andrea Bunten (Softball) Matt Vinc (Lacrosse) 

2006 Whitney Card (Lacrosse) Matt Mazurek (Baseball) 

2007 Jess Stackhouse (Volleyball) Kevin Ross (Lacrosse) 

2008 Katie Miranto (Softball) Alan McGreal (Soccer) 

The CHAMPS/Life Skills Program focuses on five 

commitment areas: 

• Academic Excellence 

• Athletic Excellence 

• Personal Development 

• Career Development 

• Service 

• The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) serves as the student-athletes’ 

line of communication to the athletics administration. 

Two student-athletes from each team serve on the SAAC and meet 

with department of athletics administrators once a month. 

Katie Miranto 

Alan McGreal 

• Once each semester, Canisius recognizes its student-athletes who 

have achieved a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or higher at an academic awards banquet. 

• At the end of the academic year, the athletic department hosts the All-Sports Banquet and announces the Male and Female Athletes of the 

Year. The banquet also includes a video, featuring all athletic teams, along with other award presentations. 

• Canisius initiated a program in 2002, called Athletes For Athletes, to increase fellowship among the student-athletes and student attendance 

at home games. SAAC representatives from each team pick one home game on their schedule they would like all other student-athletes 

to attend. 

These Men and Women Wore the Blue & Gold 

Alum Sport Job 

Ed Book (‘92) Men’s Basketball Member, 2004 New Zealand Olympic Team 

Mike Buczkowski (‘86) Ice Hockey Vice President, Buffalo Bisons (IL) 

Anthony Cassiol (‘88) Ice Hockey Vice President, Citizens Bank 

Gina Castelli (‘86) Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Siena College 

Dr. Mike Christel (‘83) Men’s Cross Country Scientist, Carnegie Mellon University 

Darren Fenn (‘01) Men’s Basketball Pro basketball, Germany 

Karen Freeman (‘83) Women’s Basketball Executive Vice President for Biologics - Former Wake Forest Head Coach 

Greg Gabriel (‘74) Football Director of College Scouting, Chicago Bears (NFL) 

Pat Gallivan (‘82) Men’s Soccer Former Sheriff, Erie County 

Gene Jankowski (‘55) Baseball Former President and Chairman of CBS Broadcasting Company 

Tony Masiello (‘69) Men’s Basketball Mayor, City of Buffalo, 1994-2005 

Micheal Meeks (‘96) Men’s Basketball Member, 2000 Canadian Olympic Team 

Jeff Nix (‘80) Men’s Basketball Director of Scouting Services, New York Knicks (NBA), 1992-2007 

Henry Nowak (‘57) Men’s Basketball US House of Representatives (Retired) 

Ron Raccuia (‘93) Baseball President, Integrity Distribution; Founder, Ad Pro Team Sports 

Mary Beth Riley (‘91) Women’s Cross Country 1991 NCAA Woman of the Year 

Mike Smrek (‘85) Men’s Basketball Member, World Champion Los Angeles Lakers (twice) 

Ryan Stewart (‘97) Ice Hockey Video Coach, Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), Amateur Scout 

Ann Woloszynski (‘90) Softball Vice President, M&T Bank 

Josh Zavitz (‘05) Ice Hockey ECHL Man of the Year (2006) 


Bu f f a l o 

CHRONOLOGY 

Buffalo was settled in 1800 and incorporated as a city in 

1832. 

NICKNAMES 

“City of Good Neighbors” 

“Queen City of the Lakes” 

“City of No Illusions” 

“City of Lights” 

POPULATION 

Buffalo has a population of 292,648. The Buffalo-Niagara Falls 

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is the 43rd largest United 

States metro area with a population of 1,170,111. 

City of Buffalo Facts 

LOCATION 

Buffalo is the commercial, political and entertainment hub of 

an eight county region (Erie, Niagara, Allegany, Cattaraugus, 

Chautauqua, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties) with 

a population of nearly 1.6 million. 

Located at the easternmost end of Lake Erie, overlooking the 

Niagara River, Buffalo is just across the Peace Bridge from the 

Canadian province of Ontario, and a 20-minute drive from 

Niagara Falls. 

Approximately 55 percent of the U.S. population and 62 

percent of Canada’s population is within a 500-mile radius of 

the Buffalo Niagara region. 

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Bu f f a l o 

Fascinating Facts 

• All Cheerios are made here. 

• Niagara Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world, is located 20 

minutes away from Buffalo. 

• Chicken wings were first served at the Anchor Bar on Main Street 

in 1964. 

• Kleinhans Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark, is considered 

one of the five acoustically perfect buildings in the world. 

• In 1905, the NAACP was founded in the region, with its first 

national conference in Buffalo. 

• Two hundred miles of fresh water shore border the area. 

• Buffalo was the first city in the United States to light streets with 

electricity. 

• Buffalo is the only city in the United States to boast five Frank 

Lloyd Wright designed homes. 

• More bagels are made in Buffalo than any other U.S. city. 

• Buffalo is home to more than 50 public and private art galleries, 

the country’s largest intact park system designed by Frederick Law 

Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, and more buildings designed by Frank 

Lloyd Wright than any other city except Chicago. 

• The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, 

formerly the Wilcox residence, was the scene of the inauguration 

of Theodore Roosevelt as President of the United States on 

September 14, 1901, following the assassination of William 

McKinley. 

• Forest Lawn Cemetery, located across the street from Canisius 

College, is the resting place of President Millard Fillmore, General 

Albert J. Meyer (founder of National Weather Service), Chief Red 

Jacket of the Seneca Indians and William G. Fargo, co-organizer of 

the first transcontinental Express Service. 

• Home of Samuel Clemens, who worked as the managing editor of 

them Buffalo Express Newspapers, Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 

24th President of the United States, and Warren Spahn, the Hall 

of Fame pitcher, who is the winningest left-hander of all time with 

363 victories. 


At h l e t ic Tradition 

Department of Athletics Mission Statement: 

Consistent with the Jesuit philosophy of education and the mission of the College, the 

Canisius College intercollegiate athletics program strives for excellence in academics, 

athletics, leadership and service to others while embracing the principles of good sportsmanship, 

ethical conduct and equity in opportunity. 

Core Values: 

In pursuing this mission the Department of Athletics subscribes to established core values 

through which all stakeholders of the program ensure that we will: 

• Understand that our student-athletes are central to our primary purpose and as such, 

their well being and successful graduation from the college are expected. 

• Continually recruit student athletes that will enhance our program by representing 

the College with distinction. 

• Tirelessly prepare for and compete in each contest with the expectation of winning. 

• Expect the highest levels of sportsmanship and personal integrity from all participants. 

• Strive to provide a leadership role in the College’s service to the Western New York 

community. 

• Embrace equal opportunity for all participants in a culturally diverse community. 

• Provide a positive educational and athletic experience for our student-athletes and 

alumni that will create a passion for a commitment to the college and engender a 

lifetime of support for our Golden Griffins. 

2008 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Champions 

What is a Griffin? 

The Griffin is a mythical creature of supposed gigantic size that has the head, forelegs and wings of an eagle and the 

hindquarters, tail and ears of a lion. They are well known for their speed, ability to fly and having eyes like an eagle 

as well as the strength and courage of a lion. 

Griffins have been known for centuries as symbols of strength and vigilance, have been called “The Hounds of Zeus” 

in Greek mythology and are said to have mastery of both the land and sky. 

They are thought to be from India, where the natives of the land made their talons and claws into drinking cups 

because the talon of a Griffin was said to detect poison in a liquid. Griffins would find gold in the mountains and 

line their nests with it and as a result, were forced to become great guardians of the nests to keep the hunters away. 

According to Charles A. Brady in Canisius College The First Hundred Years, “Though the problems of when and where the Griffin began his reign as 

King Herald of the Canisius College of Arms are not easily settled, the whence is simple to establish. Our Griffin flew to us from the prow of LaSalle’s 

lost Griffon, the Flying Dutchman of the Great Lakes, which disappeared after making a safe voyage from the Niagara River to the Strait of Detroit. 

LaSalle’s ill-fated caravel, the first ship ever built on America’s inland seas, with its 45 tons and five cannons, had its beakhead adorned ‘with a flying 

Griffin, and an eagle above it,’ in honor of the two heraldic beasts on the armorial bearing of the great Frontenac.” 

The Griffin became the symbol for Canisius athletics in the mid-1930s. Steve Weller wrote in The Buffalo News Jan. 22, 1962, “You can have your 

Chihuahuas, Piranhas, Horned Frogs and Iguanas. The best all-around athletic mascot in business today has to be the beast adopted by Canisius 

College – the Golden Griffin.” 

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MAAC 

MAAC History 

With 10 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity 

in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference is in 

its 28th year of competition during the 2008-2009 academic year. 

The MAAC was founded in 1980 by six charter members: the U.S. Military Academy, 

Fairfield University, Fordham University, Iona College, Manhattan College and Saint 

Peter’s College. Competition followed one year later in the fall of 1981 with members 

competing in the sports of men’s cross country and men’s soccer. On January 

2, 1982, Army traveled to Iona for the first MAAC men’s basketball game and the 

MAAC story had begun. 

Today, Conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona 

College, Loyola College (Md.), Manhattan College, Marist College, Niagara University, 

Rider University, Saint Peter’s College, and Siena College. In addition, associate 

members Mount St. Mary’s University, Providence College, Saint Joseph’s University, 

Virginia Military Institute and Wagner College compete in men’s lacrosse. St. 

Francis (N.Y.) College, Villanova University and Wagner College are all associate 

members of the MAAC Women’s Water Polo League. The MAAC will support 24 

sports and championships during the 2008-2009 academic year. 

Academics and Athletics 

The MAAC prides itself on the accomplishments of its student-athletes in the 

classroom, as well as on the field. Mary Beth Riley, a 1991 graduate of Canisius, was 

the first recipient of the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. In the fall of 1998, Erin 

Whalen, a member of the Iona women’s rowing team, was awarded one of the nation’s 

32 Rhodes Scholarships for academic achievement and civic leadership. Jose 

Vargas, a Loyola student, was also awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1999. 

First-class facilities are the rule with MAAC schools, as teams regularly play in topnotch 

arenas, such as Madison Square Garden, the IZOD Center, HSBC Arena, Times 

Union Center, the Arena at Harbor Yard and Sovereign Bank Arena. The other 

MAAC championships boast their share of outstanding locales as well, such as the 

fabled Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, where the cross country championships are 

contested, and Waterfront Park in Trenton, home of the baseball championship. 

This year, the MAAC will take its Cross Country Championships to Orlando, Florida, 

where it will conduct its post-season championships at Disney’s Wide World of 

Sports Complex. In 2009, the MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship will be at Walt 

Disney World. The MAAC Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships will move to 

Celebration Golf Club, located in Celebration, Florida, beginning in 2009. 

In the past several years, a number of the MAAC schools have also enjoyed success 

in NCAA Championships. MAAC schools have made a total of 72 NIT appearances 

and 41 NCAA appearances. In addition, Rider University represented the league last 

season in the inaugural College Basketball Invitational (CBI). Combined with recent 

bracket expansion in several sports, the MAAC possesses 12 automatic bids in men’s 

and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, 

men’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s water polo and men’s lacrosse. In 

2007, the Marist women’s basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 before falling 

to the eventual National Champion, the University of Tennessee. Last fall, the Iona 

College men’s cross country team finished second at the 2007 NCAA Division I Cross 

Country Championships. Canisius softball, Manhattan track, Manhattan and Marist 

baseball and Loyola soccer and lacrosse have also flourished on the national stage. 

The MAAC has also been a leader in the forefront of technology, expanding the 

notoriety of the league into cyberspace. In 2007, the league retained XOS Technologies, 

Inc., to sponsor the MAAC web page. Launched in November 1999, www. 

maacsports.com has been a great success, providing fans with up-to-date contest 

results, fan polls and an online merchandise store. 

2008 MAAC Lacrosse Review 

MAAC Standings 

MAAC 

Overall 

Fairfield 6-0 1.000 17- 2 .895 

Marist 5-1 .833 10- 9 .526 

Canisius 4-2 .667 9- 9 .500 

Iona 3-3 .500 7-11 .389 

Manhattan 2-4 .333 7- 7 .500 

Siena 1-5 .167 3-11 .214 

Niagara 0-6 .000 2-11 .154 

MAAC Championship 

Semifinals 

(1) Fairfield 11, (4) Iona 8 

(2) Marist 15, (3) Canisius 10 

Championship 

Marist 10, Fairfield 9 

MAAC at the NCAA Tournament 

Play-In Game 

Colgate 19, Marist 18 

All-MAAC 

First Team 

Lauren Walsh, Canisius 

Erin Rigby, Fairfield 

Alicia Psillos, Manhattan 

Kristen Coleman, Fairfield 

Lindsey Diener, Marist 

Jaclyn O’Leary, Iona 

Ashley Gray, Canisius 

Chelsea Martinez, Canisius 

Mary Vallely, Fairfield 

Erica Nasca, Canisius 

Keri Morrison, Manhattan 

Elizabeth Burkhard, Marist 

Second Team 

Ali Carnabuci, Marist 

Abbey Goodwin, Fairfield 

Lindsay Rinefierd, Marist 

Katie Noftsker, Marist 

Liz Falco, Marist 

Rebecca White, Fairfield 

Tara Convery, Manhattan 

Katie von Hoffman, Fairfield 

Stephanie Garland, Marist 

Gail Zonghetti, Iona 

Ashley Dattellas, Marist 

Carolyn Sumcizk, Marist 

Lauren Chatnik, Fairfield 


Fa c il it ie s 

The Rev. James M. Demske, S.J. Sports Complex, built in 1989 at a cost of $4.5 

million, provides a home field for Canisius College athletics. It has been hailed 

by the New York Times, USA Today, and The NCAA News as a model for urban 

campuses. 

History 

The facility is unique for its space utilization in a compact urban setting and has 

set the standard for design for other schools with limited land. Built on a 14-acre 

parcel of land located behind the Koessler Athletic Center, the multi-use, allpurpose, 

all-weather A-Turf surface serves as home to the Golden Griffin soccer, 

lacrosse, baseball and softball teams. The field, which is fully lighted for evening 

activities, features grandstand seating for 1,000 and portable bleachers for 150. 

In addition to the field, a locker room for Canisius student-athletes and visiting 

opponents sits adjacent to the Koessler Athletic Center. 

The Demske Sports Complex underwent a major face lift during the summer of 

2008 when Canisius replaced the old AstroTurf 12 playing surface with 123,000 

square feet of A-Turf. A-Turf is a multi-purpose, all-weather synthetic playing 

surface that is virtually unaffected by adverse weather conditions. Using natural 

grass as its model, A-Turf’s synthetic turf consists of a denser construction of 

polyethylene fibers and a high-level of specialized rubber and sand mix to increase 

playability and lower the G-Max rating. The lower the G-Max rating, the greater 

the shock absorption and less impact to the athlete. In addition to the work on 

the playing fields, Canisius also installed brand new scoreboards and new baseball 

dugouts along the first and third base sides. 

The Demske Sports Complex hosted the 2004 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse League 

championships and will serve as the host venue for the event again in May 2009. 

Center for Athletic Training 

Canisius College opened the Center for Athletic Training in the summer of 2007. 

The state-of-the art facility, located in the Koessler Athletic Center, is used for 

game and practice preparation and is fully equipped for acute and long-term injury 

rehabilitation. The Center houses private offices for both team of the College’s 

team physicians and full-time Certified Athletic Trainers who serve Canisius’ 

student-athletes. An adjacent Hydrotherapy area compliments the Center in 

providing the highest quality care for those donning the Blue and Gold. 

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Ca n i s iu s Ad m in i st r a t io n 

Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J. 

President 

President of Canisius College since 1993, Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J. has transformed Canisius College from a 

commuter college serving primarily the Western New York market into a residential comprehensive university 

drawing students from across the Northeast and beyond. 

Under Father Cooke’s leadership, Canisius has invested nearly $120 million in 24 major capital projects on the 

Main Street campus, including a complete renovation of the college’s signature classroom building, Old Main, 

Lyons Hall, and the development of the Montante Cultural Center. Canisius has completed eight residence hall 

construction or renovation projects, including two townhouse complexes and a high-rise residence hall. Plans to 

develop Science Hall, an interdisciplinary science center at the college are underway. 

Educating students for the demands of an ever-changing world is a high priority for Father Cooke. New majors 

in emerging fields such as bioinformatics, international business, accounting information systems, health and 

human performance and digital media arts have recently been added to Canisius’ comprehensive curriculum. 

Canisius faculty, students and staff are heavily involved in wide variety of service learning and volunteer activities 

throughout Western New York and beyond. 

Father Cooke received high marks in a Buffalo News poll of Western New York leaders which ranked Father Cooke as the second most influential civic 

leader and the college as the second most influential institution overall in terms of their positive impact on the community. Father Cooke was also recognized 

by The Buffalo News as one of its Outstanding Citizens for 2001 and named the 2003 Renaissance Man by the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation 

(BRF). He received the 2005 Humanitarian Award from the Niagara Lutheran Foundation, and the National Federation for Just Communities (NFJC) of 

Western New York presented Father Cooke with a 2007 Citation Award for his community leadership. 

In early 2008, Father Cooke served as a delegate at the Jesuits’ General Congregation 35 that elected Father Adolfo Nicolas as the new General of the 

Society of Jesus. He was also a delegate at General Congregation 33 in 1983 that elected Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach as General. 

Prior to joining the Canisius community, Father Cooke served as executive and academic vice president of John Carroll University. Born in New York 

and raised in Hoboken, NJ, Father Cooke received a bachelor of arts degree from Fordham University in 1960; a Licentiate in philosophy from Loyola 

Seminary, Shrub Oak, in 1961; master’s degrees in teaching and philosophy in 1962 and 1965; respectively, from Fordham; advanced theology degrees 

from Woodstock College in 1967 and Yale University in 1968; and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1971. Father 

Cooke’s academic area of expertise focuses on ethics, the theory of knowledge and the philosophy of language. 

Father Cooke is currently a member of the board of trustees of Fordham University, and a member of the finance committee of the New York Province 

of the Society of Jesus. 

Dr. Ellen Conley 

Vice President for Student Affairs 

Ellen O. Conley, PhD, a member of the Canisius Community since 1970, was named vice president for student 

affairs in 1998. One of her many accomplishments in her new role includes spearheading the upgrade of the 

athletics program at the college. 

Dr. Conley earned a bachelor’s degree from Slippery Rock State College (1967), advanced education degrees 

from the University of Pittsburgh (1968) and Buffalo State (1973) and a doctorate in higher education from the 

University at Buffalo (1981). 

During her tenure as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Conley supported the formation of the School 

of Education and Human Services, developed a mentoring program for new faculty, initiated the development of 

majors in criminal justice and environmental science and guided the initiative to implement a Master of Science 

in Organizational Communication and Development. She also established the Fine Arts Department and facilitated 

the development of MusiCanisius, which has since evolved into the ArtsCanisius program. 

While acting dean, she coordinated the promotion of the school’s graduate education program to the Canadian 

market and guided the implementation of the Master in Sport Administration. 

From 1987-89, Dr. Conley was the assistant director of athletics for women’s sports and financial aid, and from 1987-90, she was the athletic scholarship 

coordinator. Under her direction, the women’s athletic program was formed and grew from one club level team to seven varsity teams. In addition, she 

implemented and monitored an athletic scholarship program for men’s and women’s non-revenue producing sports. 

From 1982-1990 Dr. Conley served as chair of the undergraduate Physical Education Major Program and Coordinator of the Physical Education Graduate 

Program. In 1989, she developed alternative curricular tracks for physical education majors to enhance enrollment, and in 1986, she co-wrote the 

New York State Professional Preparation Council’s position paper for “Strengthening Teaching in New York State.” 


At h l e t ic Ad m in i st r a t io n 

Bill Maher 

Director of Athletics 

Named Director of Athletics in May 2005, Bill Maher is in his fourth year back in the Blue and Gold. 

Since taking over at Canisius, 10 athletic teams won conference or regional championships, with the softball 

team advancing to the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two seasons, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament 

10 times in the last 14 seasons. The 2008 men’s lacrosse team advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 

first time in program history and won a share of the regular-season MAAC Championship for the second time in 

three seasons. The 2008 baseball program earned a share of the regular-season title for the first time in 14 years 

and advanced to the MAAC Tournament for the second consecutive season while setting a school record with 

41 victories. The 2006 volleyball team set a program record for victories. The synchronized swimming program 

won its 11th consecutive ECAC Championship in 2008. During the past three seasons, 63 student-athletes have 

earned all-league honors, 16 have won conference player or rookie of the year awards and 29 were voted to alltournament 

teams. 

On the academic level during the past three athletic seasons, 217 student-athletes were named to the MAAC 

All-Academic Honor Roll, while 39 hockey players made the Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team and 15 

synchronized swimmers were honored as U.S. Synchro Academic All-Americans. During the past three years, Canisius has had seven student-athletes 

recognized on the district level as ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA All-Academic. 

Starting with the 2007-08 academic year, Maher began a four-year term on the NCAA Division I Management Council. 

A Canisius graduate and former assistant athletic director at the school, Maher spent seven years at the University at Buffalo and served as the Bulls’ 

interim athletic director from 2003-05. 

During his tenure as the interim athletic director at Buffalo, Maher helped UB Athletics oversee $3.6 million in capital improvements to its athletic facilities, 

restructure the school’s Blue & White Club fund drive for athletics, which generated $1 million during the 2003-04 season, and develop marketing 

campaigns which increased attendance at athletic events. 

He also oversaw the development of the men’s basketball program, which set a school record for victories and earned the first postseason bid in school 

history with an invitation to the 2005 National Invitation Tournament. Under his watch, the Bulls’ RPI increased from 284 in 2003 to as high as 34 during 

the 2004-05 season. 

Maher was a four-year letterwinner on the Canisius College football team from 1985-88 and earned All-America honorable mention honors as a senior. 

He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Canisius in 1989 and his master’s degree in sport management from East Stroudsburg 

University in 1990. Following an internship with the New York Knicks, Maher returned to Canisius in 1991, becoming the assistant athletic director for 

compliance in 1994. 

He became the director of compliance at the University at Buffalo in 1998, where he moved up the ranks and was named senior associate athletic director 

in 2002. In that role, he managed the day-to-day operations of the Division of Athletics, including the direct supervision of Buffalo’s football and 

men’s and women’s basketball programs, in addition to the office of compliance and the office of student-athlete services. 

Maher resides in East Amherst with his wife, Kristin, and sons, Danny and David. 

Canisius Athletic Administration 

Judi Caserta 

Athletics 

Business 

Manager 

Rachelle Held 

Director of 

Compliance 

Danielle LaMarre 

Academic 

Advisor for 

Athletics 

John Maddock 

Associate 

Athletic 

Director 

Traci Murphy 

Associate 

Athletic 

Director 

Matt Reitnour 

Director 

of Athletic 

Communications 

Andy Smith 

Head Athletic 

Trainer 

Barb Zimmerman 

Athletics 

Administrative 

Assistant 

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Ashley Curtis 

Carly Quinn 

Alison Rusak 

Allison Daley

2009 SCHEDULE 

February 

15 at Denver 5 p.m. 

16 vs. Fresno State ^ 1 p.m. 

21 BOSTON COLLEGE Noon 

28 DUQUESNE 1 p.m. 

March 

3 at Binghamton 3 p.m. 

7 HOWARD 1 p.m. 

8 ROBERT MORRIS 1 p.m. 

13 NAVY 3 p.m. 

17 at St. Bonaventure 4 p.m. 

20 at Duke 6 p.m. 

27 SIENA * 7 p.m. 

29 at Ohio State 1 p.m. 

April 

3 IONA * 7 p.m. 

5 MANHATTAN * 10 a.m. 

8 at Niagara * 7 p.m. 

17 at Fairfield * 3:30 p.m. 

19 at Marist * 1 p.m. 

24 MAAC Semifinals 

26 MAAC Championship 

HOME GAMES IN CAPS 

^ Game played in Denver, Colo. 

* MAAC Game

In

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