NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. - The Niagara University women’s lacrosse team (4-1) begins its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference portion of its schedule this weekend when it hosts the defending champion Manhattan Jaspers (1-5) Saturday and first-year program Iona (3-5) Sunday. Saturday's game will begin at 3 p.m. at Niagara Field, while Sunday's game is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Niagara Field.

Niagara is coming off an 11-7 road win over Binghamton, an America East Conference member, Tuesday. Five Purple Eagles each tallied two goals, while freshman goaltender Whitney Gill (Canandaigua, N.Y.) registered 23 saves. 

Niagara posts a 3-5 all-time regular-season record against the Jaspers, while also dropping a postseason game in 2000. Manhattan won last year’s contest, 11-10, breaking Niagara’s three-game winning streak in the all-time series. 

Manhattan earned its first win, 14-3, Thursday over Central Connecticut State, a team Niagara defeated, 19-9, in West Palm Beach, Fla., March 23. Senior Victoria Carmen notched three goals and an assist in the win and currently leads the team with 13 goals and 18 points in six games.

Iona’s most recent contest was also against Central Connecticut State. The Gaels fell, 17-6, April 5, extending their losing streak to three games. Iona also played Binghamton earlier this season, falling to the Bearcats, 16-9, March 30. 

Iona opens its conference play with a 9 a.m. game Saturday at Canisius. Freshman Katie Cavanaugh currently leads the team with 16 assists and 25 points in eight games.