NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University women’s lacrosse team (5-5, 1-4), ahead by two with 2:10 to go, succumbed to a Canisius (4-6, 3-2) comeback and fell, 10-8, in overtime. It marked the first time in Niagara’s history it lost to the Golden Griffins.

Canisius sophomore Amanda Marts tied the game at 8-8 with 32 seconds remaining in regulation and scored the game-winning goal at the 2:19 mark of the first overtime period. They were Marts’ only points of the game.

Niagara entered the second half with the 6-4 lead and sophomore Liz Johnson (Cortland, N.Y.) extended it to 7-4 at the 26:22 mark. The Purple Eagles were held scoreless for the next 24:02, when freshman Emma-Lee Harrison (Lakefield, Ont.) scored her second goal of the game with 2:10 remaining to give the Purple Eagles the 8-6 lead.

A goal by Canisius freshman Alana Chan at 1:24 brought the Golden Griffins to within one before she assisted on both of Marts succeeding goals.

Niagara goalkeeper Kristin Engel (Plainview, N.Y.), making her first career start, made 14 saves in 66 minutes, while Canisius goalie Rasheeda Brenton recorded six saves, including three in overtime, to register her fifth win of the season.

The game marked the final home game for Niagara’s four seniors: Ashley Baker (Henrietta, N.Y.), Courtney Dowd (Wall, N.J.), Rachel Jones (Tonawanda, N.Y.) and Marissa Muldoon (Auburn, N.Y.)

This weekend marks the final two games of Niagara’s 2005 season, as the loss to Canisius eliminates the team from a possible postseason berth. The Purple Eagles face Siena Saturday, April 23 at noon, before meeting Le Moyne, Sunday, April 24 at 1 p.m.