FAIRFIELD, Conn. – For the first time in school history, the Niagara University women’s soccer team (12-6-1) will play in the NCAA Tournament after claiming the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship title with a 2-1 victory over Siena College (9-8-2) Sunday afternoon at Fairfield University’s Lessing Field.

Junior Brittany Bisnott (Brampton, Ont.) scored twice after the Purple Eagles trailed, 1-0, 23 minutes into the game. The forward notched her first goal of the game and team-leading 20th of the season in the 33rd minute when she crossed a shot from the right side into an empty net at the 33:22 mark to tie the game.

Niagara took a 2-1 lead just over a minute later when Bisnott got a cross from sophomore Shaylyn Lawrence (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) and she headed the ball down pass Saints’ keeper Patti Carroll for the eventual game winner.

Freshman Sara Stephens (Toledo, Ohio) made nine saves in net, including four in the second half to preserve the victory.

"I am extremely proud of this team. They showed so much determination to come back from a 1-0 deficit," Niagara head coach Peter Veltri said. "This season has had its ups and downs, but over the last three weeks we’ve put everything together and played out best. This began eight years ago and there are a lot of people who should be proud of this moment like former student-athletes, administrators, fans and my family for all their support and love."

Bisnott was named the tournament’s most valuable player, joining sophomore Stephanie Gartley (Sarnia, Ont.), Natalie Frost (Elmira, N.Y.) and Emily Montgomery (Oshawa, Ont.) on the all-tournament team.

The Purple Eagles find out who they will play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Monday. The NCAA selection show starts at 3 p.m. on ESPNEWS.