Women's Lacrosse Hosts Canisius in Season Opener Saturday

Saturday, February 12

Lewisburg, Pa.

12 p.m.

Bucknell University

Canisius

Photo by: Lizann Rode

Women's Lacrosse Hosts Canisius in Season Opener Saturday

2/11/2022 4:26:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Canisius (0-0) at Bucknell (0-0)
When: Saturday, Feb. 12, 12 p.m.
Where: Graham Field, Lewisburg, Pa.
Internet Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: BucknellBison.com
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_WLAX

Bucknell at a Glance

Bucknell begins its 45th year of varsity women's lacrosse when Canisius comes to Graham Field on Saturday for the 2022 season opener. This will be the first-ever meeting between the Bison and the Golden Griffins.
The Bison went 3-6 during an abbreviated 2021 spring season. The wins came over Lafayette, American, and Colgate, all at home.
Bucknell was picked to finish eighth in the Patriot League preseason poll. Loyola was tabbed the preseason favorite, followed by Navy, Army, Lehigh, Boston University, Colgate, Holy Cross, Bucknell, American, and Lafayette.
The Bison return nine starters, including three of the top four scorers and the bulk of the defensive unit, from last year's squad.
Seniors Emma Cashwell and Eva Macris, along with junior Ella Payer, have been named captains for the 2022 season. Macris is in her second year as a captain.
Payer is Bucknell's lone returning All-Patriot League selection. She earned the honor as a sophomore after leading the team with 24 draw controls while playing strong defense. Midfielder Mason Rode, who graduated last spring, joined Payer on the All-PL Second Team.
Senior attackers Laurel McHale and Katie Wendell are the top returning scorers. McHale tallied a team-high 18 points on 11 goals and seven assists last season, while Wendell logged five goals and a team-high 12 assists.
Sophomore midfielder Emily Baird led the squad with nine caused turnovers last spring.
Senior Caitlin Tucker is the top returning goalie after splitting time with Lauren Kinnee last season. Tucker collected 54 saves in six appearances for a .509 save percentage. She tallied a season-high 17 saves against Navy.
Head coach Jackie Dando is entering her third season as Bucknell's head coach. Each of the first two were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, however. Former Colgate star Haley O'Hanlon and Veronica John have joined the staff as assistant coaches.

Canisius at a Glance

The Golden Griffins are also making their 2022 debut on Saturday. Canisius plays its first three games of the season on the road before hosting Pittsburgh on Feb. 27.
This will also be Canisius' first game under new head coach Russell Allen, who spent the previous three seasons as head coach at Concordia (Ill.).
Canisius went 2-8 last season, playing exclusively Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opposition. The wins came against Monmouth in overtime and Iona. The Golden Griffins lost to No. 2 seed Siena 21-11 in the MAAC Tournament quarterfinals.
Canisius returns MAAC All-Rookie Team selection Riley Davis, who tallied 19 goals and four assists in 10 games last season.
The Golden Griffins were picked seventh out of nine teams in the MAAC preseason poll. Three-time defending champion Fairfield is the preseason favorite.

Looking Ahead

Saturday's game is the first of six non-conference games on this year's slate. The Bison will also take Robert Morris and Duquesne at home, Binghamton and St. Bonaventure on the road, and Campbell at the US Lacrosse headquarters in Maryland, before starting conference action at Navy on March 19.
Next up is a road trip to Binghamton on Saturday, Feb. 19. The Bison defeated the Bearcats 16-9 in the spring of 2020.