NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University women’s swimming and diving team (0-3) dropped it’s second and third meets of the year Sunday to Youngstown State (1-3) and the University of Vermont (2-1) in a three-team dual at the Oxy Aquatic Center on the Monteagle Ridge campus. The Purple Eagles lost a close meet with the Catamounts, 130.5-107.5, and were defeated by the Penguins, 147-93.

Niagara took an early lead on both teams through one event, winning the 200 medley relay. After the first three events senior Traci Liberi (Rochester, N.Y./Churchville Chili) began a three-event win streak winning the 200 freestyle. The Purple Eagles followed Liberi’s lead with a one-two finish in the 50 free by sophomore Heather Link (Wheatfield, N.Y./Niagara Wheatfield) and freshman Kelly Kennedy (York, N.Y./York Central), and in the 200 individual medley by freshman Carissa Farina (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) and senior Jen Gerenski (Rochester, N.Y./East).

The race between the Catamounts and the Purple Eagles was tight through 10 events with Niagara trailing by as few as five points. Poor showings in the final eight events, including just one win by Link in the 100 back (1:02.04) prevented a comeback. A strong performance from Vermont in the 100 breast mathamatically eliminated the Purple Eagles from contention.

Niagara returns to action along with the men’s swimming and diving team (1-0) Oct. 30 when the women swim Canisius and Sacred Heart in a three-team dual meet and the men battle the Golden Griffins in a dual meet at 1 p.m. at the Oxy Aquatic Center on the Niagara University campus.