Utica, NY – Ava Bodnar scored three goals in the first half, the Roos forced 30 turnovers, causing 14 of those, and the SUNY Canton women's lacrosse team defeated the SUNY Poly Wildcats 9-2 Wednesday night.
 
THE BASICS

• Result: SUNY Canton 9, SUNY Poly 2
• Location: Wildcat Field – Utica, NY
• Records: SUNY Canton (2-0) | SUNY Poly (0-3)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Bodnar scored the game's first goal off a free position attempt with 12:15 left in the first quarter, but the Wildcats responded with a goal of their own not long after.  
• The Roos had some good looks at the net and forced plenty of turnovers defensively and drew fouls on offense. Bodnar scored again with 49 seconds left on another free position attempt to push the Roos up 2-1 at the end of the first quarter.
• Rebecca Thomas made some crazy saves on a couple point-blank looks in the second quarter, but Bodnar found success yet again. An errant pass by Thomas in the Wildcats defensive zone led to a groundball pickup by Kenadie Garrow, then Bodnar received the pass and ran towards Thomas uncontested to score right outside the crease.
• The first half ended with Bodnar outscoring SUNY Poly 3-1. The Roos caused nine turnovers and limited the Wildcats to just five shots on goal.
• The low-scoring tight game continued into the third period. Hailey LaShomb scored for SUNY Canton about halfway through, but Poly did not go quietly and put in their second goal with about four minutes remaining.
• Sydney Dunn expanded the SUNY Canton lead to 5-2 after a free position goal in the first minute of the fourth quarter, then Caroline Nappi found a cutting LaShomb for SUNY Canton's sixth goal.
• The Roos offense did not slow down, and Sienna Hillicke, Dunn, and Nia Shill all added to the SUNY Canton total, with the Roos blanking SUNY Poly in the fourth period to win 9-2.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• After her two goals in her college debut at Alfred State, Bodnar scored a hat trick at Poly to get up to five goals on the season. LaShomb and Dunn both sent a pair of balls in the back of the Wildcats' net. Shill had her first collegiate goal as well. Kate Whitley led the Roos on the defensive end with four caused turnovers and nine ground ball pickups.
• Alexa Ulanday and Rylie Fischer scored the two goals for the Wildcats. Ulanday also picked up two ground balls and Katelynn Truax caused a pair of turnovers.
• Shots on goal were 25-8 in favor of SUNY Canton. The defense was key for the Roos as they caused 14 turnovers as a team, leading Poly to commit 30. Possessions were also greatly in favor of the Roos with SUNY Canton winning 10 of the game's 13 draw controls.
• Roos starting goaltender Laura Falandys made five saves on seven shots. In relief, Mikela Montes made the save on the only shot she faced. Thomas on the home side was 16-for-25 on the day.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Roos will next have their home opener against the Russell Sage Gators on Saturday, March 7 at noon.     
   

Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college's career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 25 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the SUNYAC. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.