Goalkeeper Katy Owings made 19 saves in the loss to Rider.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University women’s soccer team (8-6-3, 6-1-1) fell to Rider University (10-6-2, 5-3-0), 1-0, in overtime Friday at Niagara Field, ending a seven-game unbeaten streak.

Under cover of darkness in the second overtime, Broncs forward Tami Coyle, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference-leading scorer, beat Niagara goalkeeper Katy Owings (Annapolis, Md.) on a one-on-one opportunity high into the Purple Eagles’ net and gave Rider the victory in sudden death. Coyle, 16 goals and four assists for 36 points this season, led the Rider attack with seven shots in the contest.

"It was a tough loss," Niagara head coach Peter Veltri said. "We didn’t play to our full ability and we paid the ultimate price."

Outshot in the game, 32-10, the Purple Eagles’ defense thwarted the Broncs’ offense, ranked 26th in the nation thru Oct. 26 games, for 106 minutes prior to the Coyle goal. However, Niagara was unable to capitalize on the few scoring opportunities presented throughout the contest.

The Purple Eagles were led in offense by senior Rosie Luzak (Youngstown, N.Y.), who took four shots in the contest, including a one-on-one opportunity late in the second half with Rider goalkeeper Erin Wolleon that went over the goal.

A bright spot for Niagara was the play of Owings. The sophomore goalkeeper made 19 saves in the contest to keep the Purple Eagles in the game. In the win, Wolleon made five saves for the Broncs.

Niagara looks to regroup when it plays for the MAAC regular-season championship against Loyola Sunday at Niagara Field. With a Niagara win, the Purple Eagles would capture the first conference regular-season title in school history. Game time is set for 1 p.m. and admission to the contest is free.