NIAGARA UN., N.Y. – The women’s soccer team (8-6-1, 4-2-1) got a leg up coming down the home stretch in the conference playoff push by defeating cross-town rival Canisius College (5-11-1, 2-4-1) Tuesday, 4-1. The Purple Eagles exploded for three goals in the second half to move into sole possession of the fourth and final playoff spot with two games to play.

The win snaps Niagara’s four-game winless streak, its longest of the season. The Purple Eagles now sit alone in fourth place, three points ahead of Manhattan and six ahead of Canisius while owning tiebreakers over both teams for the last playoff spot.

Junior midfielder Christina Langrell (Tillsonburg, Ont.) netted the game winner in the 69th minute when she pounded a rebound over the diving keeper’s shoulder. Senior midfielder Emily Montgomery (Oshawa, Ont.) placed a corner kick in the box for sophomore Stephanie Gartley (Sarnia, Ont.). The Golden Griffin keeper made the initial save on Gartley’s shot, but couldn’t control the rebound left for Langrell.

Junior Brittany Bisnott (Brampton, Ont.) added two insurance goals late in the second half to up her conference leading goal total to 16.

Canisius jumped out to an early lead when Amanda Janosky redirected Danielle Bernier’s shot past freshman Sarah Stephens (Toledo, Ohio) for a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.

13 minutes later, the Purple Eagles had a chance in front of keeper Jenna Gage. Gage made the initial save and the next few shots were blocked by the Golden Griffin defense, but Gartley finally beat the keeper for her 14th goal of the season to even the score at 1-1.

Montgomery picked up two assists to give her a team-high eight on the season. Her second assist came when she fired a laser 50 yards over the entire Canisius squad to a waiting Bisnott. The junior went around the last defender and beat Gage up top for the 3-1 lead.

Bisnott’s two goals and Gartley’s tally and assist give both Purple Eagles the conference lead in points with 34. Caitlin Long (Fort Collins, Colo.) and Jenna Sporta (Oakville, Ont.) each added an assist in the victory. Stephens made four saves for her eighth win of the year.