RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Niagara women's soccer team was edged by Manhattan in its first conference game of the season on Saturday.
Game Summary
Final Score: Niagara 1, Manhattan 3
Niagara Goal Scorers: Hailey Bicknell
Niagara Assists: None
In Goal: Shania van Nuland (1-5-1) 2 Goals Against, 1 Save
Records: Niagara (1-5-1, 0-1-0 MAAC), Manhattan (3-5-0, 1-0-0 MAAC)
Location: Gaelic Park – Riverdale, N.Y.
Attendance: 238
Game Recap
- The Jaspers got on the board first in the 12th minute; Nicole Copping cut inside the defender and put her shot into the upper left corner.
- Niagara quickly tried to answer. Bicknell took a shot less than a minute after the goal which went wide, followed by a shot from Assia Sidhoum in the 13th minute that was blocked.
- Manhattan extended its lead to 2-0 in the 20th minute of the game; Arianna Montefusco scored on a direct free kick from 20 yards out.
- The Purple Eagles continued to create chances and, in the 32nd minute, Bicknell had the ball along the ground and took a perfectly on target shot from 15 yards out. Bicknell's goal, the first of her collegiate career, put Niagara down by only one score, 2-1.
- Hadley Bucken took the first shot of the second half in the 76th minute; her shot went wide.
- In the 83rd minute, Manhattan's Erica Modena scored the game-winning goal on a direct free kick from 25 yards out.
Coach's Corner
- "It's a disappointing loss," said Niagara head coach Peter Veltri. "Offensively, we created some good chances and our movement off the ball was much better today. We had a lot of inexperienced players get serious playing time today and gained valuable experience that will help down the road."
Inside the Numbers
- Niagara outshot Manhattan 10-8 in the first half of the game and 3-2 in the second half.
- Shawnique Samuels led Niagara with three shots, followed by Bicknell and Kori Thorne who each had two shots.
Up Next
- The Purple Eagles host Quinnipiac on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 1:00 p.m.
- Following Quinnipiac, Niagara takes on cross-town rival Canisius on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 7:00 p.m. for the teams' annual Battle of the Bridge meeting. The match will air live on ESPN3.
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