FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The women’s soccer team (10-6-1, 6-2-1) clinched the second-seed in the conference playoffs with a 1-0 victory over Fairfield College (9-6-4, 5-2-2) Sunday. The win was the Purple Eagles’ third in a row to close the regular season and second-straight shutout.

Senior Jenna Sporta (Oakville, Ont.) netted the game’s lone goal in the 18th minute when she beat Stag keeper Katie Ely after receiving a pass from MAAC-leading scorer junior Brittany Bisnott (Brampton, Ont.). It was Sporta’s first goal of the season. Bisnott’s save was her third on the year, and upped her point total to a conference-high 35.

"I am very pleased with our performance," head coach Peter Veltri said. "Not only did we accomplish our goal of making the playoffs, but I am happy with how we finished. With three-straight wins, we are going into the tournament on a high note."

The weather for the contest was much like that facing Western New York, brisk temperatures with gusty winds. That played a factor in the game as the Niagara defense held Fairfield to just five total shots with only one on goal. Freshman goalie Sarah Stephens (Toledo, Ohio) stopped the lone shot on goal for her only save in her second-consecutive shutout.

Niagara had a few great opportunities to score an insurance tally in the second half, but Brett Maron, who was inserted after Sporta’s goal, made nine saves.

The win vaults the Purple Eagles into second place with 19 points in the conference. Loyola earned the No. 1 seed and will face fourth-seeded Siena in the first round of the MAAC playoffs, while Niagara and Fairfield will square off for the second time in four days in Fairfield on Nov. 2.