Kelly Barber |
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University women’s lacrosse team (8-4, 3-2) defeated Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opponent Siena Saturday, 10-7. The Purple Eagles battled back from a 6-3 halftime deficit, scoring seven unanswered goals in the second half.
Niagara junior goalie Michelle Nucci made 13 saves in the contest, improving her season’s save percentage to an even .500. After allowing a Siena goal at the 29:11 mark of the second half, the Plainview, N.Y., native held the Saints scoreless for the remainder of the game.
The game began with the two teams trading goals to the score of 2-2, when Siena pulled away with three straight markers. Niagara freshman Jennifer Parks put Niagara back on the board at 7:53 with her season’s 11th goal, but Siena’s Christina Pampalone scored off a free position shot at 4:08, giving the Saints the 6-3 halftime lead.
Siena extended its lead to the biggest of the day at 29:11 of the second half, as senior Dana Sherrer put the Saints ahead 7-3.
That goal would be the last for Siena, as Niagara finished the game with seven straight. The streak began with two goals from junior Ashley Baker, who also gathered four assists in the game. Freshman Kathryn Kenneally tallied her second goal of the contest at 16:47 before Parks tied the game at 13:14.
With 7:34 remaining in regulation, freshman Lindsay Hamann scored what would eventually become her team-leading third game-winning goal.
Junior Rachel Jones and senior Kelly Barber added goals at 6:35 and 0:56, respectively, giving the Purple Eagles their sixth consecutive win over Siena in the eight-game all-time series.
Niagara returns to action tomorrow in its final regular-season game, set to begin at 1 p.m. at Niagara Field. The Purple Eagles face MAAC opponent Marist (6-9, 3-2), who is coming off an 11-3 victory over Canisius. A win tomorrow for the Purple Eagles would guarantee them a spot in the MAAC Championships, hosted by Niagara University April 30 and May 2.
