Lindsay Hamann

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY - The Niagara University (2-0) women’s lacrosse team defeated first-year program Robert Morris (0-2), 13-2, Thursday at Demske Field on the campus of Canisius. Sophomore Lindsay Hamann (Camillus, N.Y.) and freshman Emma-Lee Harrison (Lakefield, Ont.) both tallied four goals in the victory. 

The Purple Eagles took the lead early, scoring 1:24 into the game, but Robert Morris came right back and tied the game 1:06 later.  

Niagara regained the league when senior Rachel Jones (Tonawanda, N.Y.) scored her second of the game at the 26:45 mark, before Hamann tallied back-to-back goals just 27 seconds apart at 21:26 and 20:59.  

Robert Morris freshman Brittanny Smith notched her team’s last goal at 16:47, bringing the Colonials to within two at 4-2. Niagara went on to score five straight before the end of the half, including senior Ashley Baker’s (Henrietta, N.Y.) goal, assisted by freshman Katie Gates (Penn Yan, N.Y.), 25 seconds before halftime.  

The Niagara defense shut out the Colonials in the second half. Freshman goaltender Whitney Gill (Canandaigua, N.Y.) earned the win for the Purple Eagles, posting eight saves in 54:51, while sophomore Kristin Engel (Plainview, N.Y.) stopped one shot in the game’s final 5:09.  

This marks the first year in Niagara’s 10-year history the team has started the season with two wins.  

The Purple Eagles look to continue the win streak against Central Connecticut in an 8 p.m. game played at West Palm Beach, Fla., March 23.