NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University women’s soccer team (9-7-1) has accepted its invitation to play in the 2004 Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference women’s soccer tournament, hosted by Columbia University, in New York, N.Y., Saturday and Sunday at the Columbia Soccer Stadium at Baker Field.

The four-team tournament includes the Purple Eagles, Fordham University (8-6-3), Long Island University (8-6-2) and host Columbia (9-8-0).

"We are excited to receive a bid to the ECAC (Tournament)," head coach Peter Veltri said. "It’s an opportunity to continue our season and play some very good competition. Our team is extremely young and this experience will help us better prepare for next season."

Niagara faces Columbia Friday at 4 p.m. at Baker Field, with Fordham facing Long Island University at 7 p.m. in Friday’s other semifinal.

The winners of Friday’s semifinals meet in the championship game Saturday at 7 p.m.

Friday’s contest will be the first-ever meeting between Niagara and Columbia.