NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University women’s soccer team (7-4-0, 3-1-0) looks to bounce back after dropping its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game last week when it hosts cross-town rival Canisius College (4-9-1, 1-2-1) on Friday at 3 p.m. before traveling to face University of Detroit (5-8-0) Sunday at noon.

The Purple Eagles hold a five-game winning streak over the Golden Griffins, including two victories last year, a 3-0 shutout in Buffalo and a 6-3 win in the MAAC Tournament first round.

Niagara currently sits in a second-place tie in the conference, while Canisius ranks fifth. The Titans are riding a two-game win streak.

The Purple Eagles boast the most potent offense in the MAAC as well as one of the strongest in the nation. Niagara’s goals per game average (3.09) ranks first in the conference and sixth in the nation.

Junior Brittany Bisnott (Brampton, Ont.) is also receiving national recognition. The forward leads the NCAA in goals per game (1.09) and is second in points per game (2.36). Last week, Bisnott earned her second MAAC Offensive Player of the Week honor with her four-goal, one-assist effort in Niagara’s 1-1 week. Overall, she has a team-high 12 goals to go along with two assists.

Sophomore Stephanie Gartley (Sarnia, Ont.) has earned three conference player of the week awards herself, as she has totaled nine goals and five assists this season. Gartley ranks ninth in the nation in both points (2.09) and goals per game (0.82). Last season, the forward scored four goals and assisted on another in her first two career games against the Golden Griffins.

Senior midfielder Emily Montgomery (Oshawa, Ont.) adds another wrinkle to the offensive attack with her 17 points (6 goals and 5 assists). Junior Natalie Frost (Elmira, N.Y.) leads the team with seven assists and is listed 19th nationally with a 0.55 per game average.

Between the pipes, freshman Sarah Stephens (Toledo, Ohio) has been solid with her 1.95 goals-against average. In MAAC action, the keeper has a 3-1-0 record to go along with a .760 save percentage.

Canisius has lost two contests in a row and six of its last nine. The Golden Griffins score 1.07 goals per game while giving up 1.57 goals an outing.

Stephanie Karst leads the squad with five goals and two assits as Slyvia Kowalski adds three tallies and one helper.

Detroit has won three out of its last four matches and boasts a 5-2-0 record at home. The Titans will be hosting their final regular season contest of the season when the Purple Eagles come calling on Sunday.

Mary Parker has tallied 10 strikes and four assists in 2006, both team highs. Katie Fortenberry has posted a 1.07 GAA in net for the Titans.

The Purple Eagles lead the all-time series with the Golden Griffins, 16-11-0, but have never beaten the Titans, 0-4-2.