NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Through its first three games of the season, the Niagara University women’s soccer team continued its trend from the 2005 season of being one of the nation’s top offensive programs. The Purple Eagles will put their scoring touch to the test, though, when they host the Niagara Soccer Classic Friday and Sunday at Niagara Field. Niagara takes on Central Michigan Friday at 3:30 p.m. and finishes with Cornell Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Canisius is also set to participate in the event.

For three-straight seasons, Niagara has won its first match of the tournament only to fall in the final game. Last year, the Purple Eagles defeated Albany, 6-2, but dropped a 3-2 double-overtime decision to Western Carolina. The last time the Purple and White won both matches came in 2002 when it topped Albany and Temple.

So far, Niagara stands 2-1-0 on the year and averages 3.33 goals-per-match. Junior Brittany Bisnott (Brampton, Ont.) is doing what she does best and that is score goals. The forward has five of the Purple Eagles’ 10 goals, and has moved into fourth in school history with 74 career points (33-8--74). Joining Bisnott has been sophomore Stephanie Gartley (Sarnia, Ont.), who has two goals and four assists, and senior Emily Montgomery (Oshawa, Ont.) who has collected two goals and an assist.

In net, freshman Sarah Stephens (Toledo, Ohio) has earned the decision in each match and brings a 2.05 goals-against average into the weekend.

Central Michigan has opened with an impressive 4-0-0 record, including a 3-2 win at Michigan State Aug. 25. Jacquie Lacek leads the team with six points off three goals, and Molly Gerts (1-2--4) and Amanda Waugh (2-0--4) each have four points. Goalkeeper Anne Decker has played every minute for the Chippewas and holds a 0.75 GAA.

Cornell hosts St. Bonaventure Wednesday before traveling to Western New York. The Big Red opened the year with a 3-2 win over Lafayette Sept. 3, where Caitlin Oliver, Allison McEwen and Mariye Wick each hit the back of the net. Katrina Maitlin and Jessica Lebo equally split time in net.

Cornell and Canisius get the Niagara Soccer Classic off and running Friday at 1 p.m. The other neutral-site contest involves Central Michigan and Canisius Sunday at 11 a.m.

This weekend marks the first meetings for Niagara with Central Michigan and Cornell.