NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University softball team (1-7) won its first game of the season Thursday evening when it knocked off Sacred Heart 6-5 at the Rebel Spring Games at the Osceola and Oren Brown Fields. Later in the evening, the Purple Eagles lost to University of Pennsylvania, 4-1.

In the Sacred Heart game, Niagara led early, 3-0, but then found itself trailing 5-3 until sophomore Shannon Mongalise (Bethel Park, Pa.) hit a two-run triple to tie the game at 5-5. Senior Cheryl Julicher (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville North) then singled in the game-winning run.

Senior Andrea Crapo (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) got the win on the mound and freshman Nicole Sum (Burnaby, B.C.) was 2 for 3. Julicher and Mongalise also had two RBI each in the win.

In the nightcap, preseason All-MAAC selection Colleen Larsen (Beiseker, Alberta) was 2 for 3 with a double, Sum 2 for 3 with a RBI and Julicher and senior Lisa Hess (Youngstown, N.Y./Lewiston-Porter) were each 1 for 3.

Niagara closes its run in the Rebel Spring Games today when it plays Lehigh and Youngstown State.