Sophmore goalkeeper Katy Owings made 11 saves for the Purple Eagles.

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Niagara University women’s soccer team (9-8-3) lost to Loyola College (12-8-1), 2-0, Sunday in the championship game of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J.

Having never defeated the Greyhounds in school history (Loyola leads the all-time series with Niagara, 13-0), Loyola captured its fourth consecutive MAAC championship with the win over the Purple Eagles Sunday, behind two first-half goals.

"I think today we were a little intimidated by the circumstances, but hopefully this will provide us with valuable experience for the future," Niagara head coach Peter Veltri said.

In the 20th minute, Loyola defender Caitlin McCusker’s 20-yard shot beat Niagara sophomore goalkeeper Katy Owings (Annapolis, Md.) to give the Greyhounds a 1-0 lead.

With 11 minutes remaining in the first half, Greyhound midfielder Naomi Daniels took a pass from teammate Jeannetta McGettigan and beat Owings for the Greyhounds second goal of the contest. Unable to get their offense on track for the balance of the contest, the two-goal deficit proved to be too much for the Purple Eagles to overcome.

In the Purple Eagles’ first trip to the MAAC Championship game, Niagara was stymied by the Loyola defense throughout the entire game. Greyhound goalkeeper Kate Gilfillan did not registering a save en route to her fifth shutout of the season. Owings – MAAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year – made 11 saves for Niagara.

"It was a great season for us," Veltri said. "We’re excited about the prospects returning for us next year."