NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Two goals by sophomore midfielder Emily Montgomery (Oshawa, Ont.) led the Niagara University women’s soccer team (3-0-0) to a 3-0 win over Temple University (1-1-0) Friday at the Niagara University Soccer Classic at Niagara Field. The win extended the Purple Eagles win streak to three games.
Montgomery’s two first-half goals gave Niagara a two-goal margin heading into halftime, a lead the team would not relinquish.
Off an Amber Niece (Port Colbourne, Ont.) cornerkick and a deflection by defender Kaelyn Greenland (Aurora, Ont.), Montgomery was able to maneuver the ball past Owls goalkeeper Elizabeth Tarasevich in the 30th minute, giving Niagara a 1-0 lead and scoring her first goal of the season.
Just 10 minutes later, Montgomery was able to strike a second time, heading-in a cross by midfielder Jenni Greiner (Syracuse, N.Y.) high into the Temple net. For Montgomery, it was the first multi-goal effort of her collegiate career and, more importantly, gave Niagara its third win of the season.
"It’s a great start," Montgomery said. "We’re 3-0 already and we look forward to keeping the win streak alive and getting into the conference season."
Sophomore forward Michelle Del Monte (Mississauga, Ont.) added her second goal of the season in the 75th minute, hitting a shot past Tarasevich into the lower-left corner of the Temple net.
Not to be forgotten by the offensive performance of the Purple Eagles is the play of junior goalkeeper Katy Owings (Annapolis, Md.), who picked up her second consecutive shutout victory. Stopping all five Temple shots on net, Owings extended her scoreless streak to 244 minutes. Tarasevich made nine saves in the loss.
Shots were in favor of the Purple Eagles, 18-16.
In the invitational’s other contest, St. Bonaventure (2-1-0) defeated Canisius (0-1-0), 2-0, with goals by Bonnie forwards Kerry O’Malley and Heather MacDougall.
The invitational continues Sunday when Canisius faces Temple at 11 a.m., with Niagara and St. Bonaventure playing the second contest at 1 p.m. Admission to all weekend games at Niagara Field is free.
