NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – With a chance to advance to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament on the line, the Niagara University women’s soccer team (9-5-1, 4-2-1) visits conference-leading Loyola College (12-3-0, 7-0-0) Friday at 3 p.m. at Curley Field, on the campus of Loyola. The Purple Eagles visit Rider University (9-6-2, 4-2-1) Sunday at noon.

Niagara enters the final weekend of the regular season in a three-team tie for the fourth and final position of next weekend’s MAAC Tournament, played at Fairfield University Nov. 5 and 7. The Purple Eagles, with 13 points in conference play, sit tied with Rider and Fairfield.

Unbeaten in its last three games, Niagara brings its nationally-ranked offense into this weekend’s two games. Ranked 32nd nationally in goals per game (2.40), the Purple Eagles are led by freshman forward Brittany Bisnott (Brampton, Ont.). Leading all MAAC rookies in points with 29 (14 goals, 1 assist), Bisnott is 12th in the nation in goals per game (0.93) and tied for 25th nationally in points per game (1.93).

Also standing in the top 10 in the conference in points and goals, sophomore Emily Montgomery (Oshawa, Ont.) is second on the Purple Eagles in scoring this season. Montgomery has 16 points on seven goals and two assists, scoring goals in two of the last four games.

Juniors Brittany Younglove (Red Creek, N.Y.) and Amber Niece (Port Colbourne, Ont.) have contributed with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Younglove is ninth in the MAAC in goals (6), while standing tied for 10th in the conference in points.

In goal, junior Katy Owings (Annapolis, Md.) is tied for eighth in the MAAC in saves, averaging 4.79 saves per game. Owings has three shutouts this season, with a 1.97 goals-against average.

Niagara is 0-13-0 lifetime against Loyola, while 4-3-0 against Rider, last defeating the Broncs Oct. 18, 2002.

Undefeated in conference games, Loyola is ranked eighth in this week’s Mid-Atlantic regional poll (National Soccer Coaches Association/Adidas).

The Greyhounds, conference champions the last four seasons, bring the seventh-ranked offense into this weekend’s contest against the Purple Eagles. Averaging 3.00 goals per game, Loyola is led by junior forward Ali Andrzejewski, who leads the conference with 30 points this season. Andrzejewski, 12 goals and six assists, has points in the Greyhounds’ last four games, registering a hat trick in Loyola’s last contest, a 3-0 win against Rider Oct. 23.

Both junior goalkeeper Kate Gilfillan and senior Erica Niemann have seen time in net for Loyola this season. Gilfillan has allowed just three goals this season, leading the Greyhounds with a 0.33 goals-against average.

Rider, which plays Canisius Friday, heads into this weekend on a three-game losing streak, outscored 11-0 in the three-game stretch.

The Broncs are led by defending MAAC Offensive Player of the Year Tami Coyle, who is third in the conference with 24 points on 10 goals and four assists.

Senior forward Marianne Hanna is second on the team with 10 points (4 goals, 2 assists).

In just her freshman season, Kim Carter has started all 17 games for Rider this season. Carter has a 1.47 goals-against average and five shutouts this season.

Loyola, who has already clinched a spot in next weekend’s MAAC Tournament, leads the conference with 21 points, followed by Siena (16), and Iona (14).