Men's Lacrosse 3/13/2009 4:00:00 AM Canisius College Athletics

Men's Lacrosse Opens MAAC Play at Marist

The Canisius College men's lacrosse opens defense of its MAAC Championship with a road contest at Marist. The Griffs opened the season with losses to three-ranked teams, while Marist also enters the weekend looking for its first victory at 0-2.

BARKAS ANCHORS CANISIUS' DEFENSIVE UNIT
? Junior Matt Barkas has been the leader of the Griffs' defensive effort this season.
? The junior captain leads the Griffs with 17 ground balls, an average of 5.4 per game. Last season, Barkas ranked sixth nationally among defenders and long-stick midfielders with 4.56 ground balls per game.
? Barkas also leads the Griffs with five caused turnovers this season. Against No. 4 Cornell, Barkas posted season-best totals of eight ground balls and three caused turnovers.

NORTHSTAR CONNECTION
? Sophomore Nick LoCoco is joined by a familiar face this year. Former high school teammate Jimmy Haney is in his first season with the Griffs.
? The duo teamed up at Cicero-North Syracuse High School to provide the Northstars with a high-scoring connection.
? The pair have continued their success at Canisius. Haney leads all freshmen with four goals this season, while LoCoco is tied for the team lead with nine points (3g, 6a).

JONES PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
? Sophomore Adam Jones has picked up right were he left off in 2008.
? The Preseason MAAC Player of the Year has totaled eight goals in the Griffs' three contests versus ranked opponents. Jones entered the week ranked fourth nationally in goals per game.
? The sophomore has also added an assist this season for eight points. He entered the week ranked first in the MAAC and 14th in points per game.
? Jones had an immediate impact as a freshman. He became the first Griff to earn All-America honors in 2008 after leading all midfielders nationally with 38 goals.
? The Owen, Sound, Ontario native is a consistent threat for a hat trick. Jones has posted at least three goals in two games this season and 12 of his 19 career contests. He recorded 10 hat tricks during his rookie campaign, the most by a Griff since the 1990 season.

CANISIUS - MARIST SERIES HISTORY
? In a series that dates back to the Griffs' inaugural season in 1990, Marist holds a slight 8-7 advantage against the Griffs.
? The home team has won 13 of the 15 games in the series, including the last nine. The Griffs are 1-7 all-time at Marist and have lost the last seven road meetings. Canisius has not won at Marist since a 19-9 victory in 1992.
? Canisius cruised to a 12-5 victory last season at the Demske Sports Complex. Nick LoCoco led the Griffs with six points on three goals and three assists. Matt Barkas earned MAAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after posting five ground balls and four caused turnovers.

ABOUT THE RED FOXES
? Marist is 0-2 on the season, suffering losses to Vermont (8-7) and Binghamton (12-7) to open the 2009 campaign.
? Corey Zindel leads the Red Foxes with eight points on one goal and seven assists. Zindel enters the weekend ranked first nationally with 3.50 assists per game.
? Ryan Sharkley has scored a team-best six goals this season. He entered the week ranked eighth nationally with 3.00 goals per game.
? Marist has been anchored defensively by goalie Ryan Penner. Penner ranks first nationally with 17.0 saves per game and sixth with a save percentage of .630.

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Players Mentioned

#18 Matt Barkas: D; 5' 11"; Junior

#13 Jimmy Haney: A; 6' 0"; Freshman

#23 Adam Jones: M; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#3 Nick LoCoco: A; 5' 9"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#18 Matt Barkas
: 5' 11"; Junior
: D

#13 Jimmy Haney
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: A

#23 Adam Jones
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: M

#3 Nick LoCoco
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: A