NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Playing in its final home weekend of the season, the Niagara University women’s soccer team (7-5-1, 2-2-1) hosts Manhattan (1-12-1, 1-3-1) Friday at 3 p.m. and Saint Peter’s (1-14-0, 0-5-0) Sunday at 1 p.m., with both games played at Niagara Field.
Four seniors play their final home games of their collegiate career in this weekend’s two contests. Seniors Natalie Davy (Ajax, Ont.), Jenni Greiner (Syracuse, N.Y.), Melissa Himes (Fulton, N.Y.) and Lora te Boekhorst (Dundas, Ont.) all enter the final home contests against the Jaspers and Peahens. All four players contributed in different ways during their collegiate careers.
Niagara heads into this weekend coming off a scoreless draw with Iona College Oct. 17. With a 2-2-1 record in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, the Purple Eagles head into a crucial portion of their schedule, where each contest has heavy implications on whether or not Niagara can reach the postseason conference tournament. With only the top four teams in the MAAC making the conference tournament, Niagara stands in sixth place with four games remaining on its schedule.
Looking to lead the Purple Eagles in their final four games of the regular season is the trio of freshman Brittany Bisnott (Brampton, Ont.), sophomore Emily Montgomery (Oshawa, Ont.) and junior Brittany Younglove (Red Creek, N.Y.). Bisnott, who has 27 points on 13 goals and an assist, leads the conference in scoring, averaging a remarkable 2.08 points per game. Bisnott stands 10th nationally in goals per game (1.00).
Montgomery has goals in two of the past three games, registering six points in three games. Second on the team in scoring, Montgomery has six goals and 14 points this season, among the conference leaders in points. Younglove has contributed 12 points on six goals, standing eighth in the MAAC in points.
Recording her third shutout of the season in the draw with Iona, junior goalkeeper Katy Owings (Annapolis, Md.) has started 12 of 13 games this season for the Purple Eagles. Owings is 6-5-1, tied for fourth in the conference in total saves (65).
Both Manhattan and Saint Peter’s have had its troubles scoring this season, combining for 10 goals in 29 games.
Manhattan, which has four goals in its 14 games this season, lost 3-0 to Loyola Oct. 17.
The Jaspers are led offensively by sophomore defender Katie Kuntz, who has two goals and four points in 14 starts. Kuntz is second on the Jaspers with 12 shots this season.
Freshman goalkeeper Alicia DeFino has two shutouts in Manhattan’s last four games. DeFino is second in the conference with 77 saves, registering a 1.75 goals-against average.
Saint Peter’s is led by the offense of midfielders Kyle Marsh and Sarah Meier, both with two goals and four points. The two freshmen, who have both started every game this season, lead the Peahens with 16 and 15 shots, respectively.
Both junior Andrea Kovalcik and sophomore Angelina Albruzzese have seen time in goal for Saint Peter’s this season. Kovalcik leads the team with 63 saves in her eight starts.
Niagara leads the all-time series with both Manhattan, 5-4-3, and with Saint Peter’s, 6-5-0, defeating both schools last season. Admission to both contests at Niagara Field is free.
