RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Niagara women’s soccer team picked up its second win in as many games, defeating Manhattan, 2-1, Sunday morning at Gaelic Park.  With the win, Niagara improves to 8-5-0 (3-1 MAAC), while Manhattan falls to 5-4-4 (2-1-1 MAAC).

“I was really proud of the way we rebounded after a disappointing game last week,” head coach Peter Veltri said.  “We played very, very well today.  It was the best game we’ve played all year.”

For the second-straight game, Niagara opened the scoring early as junior Stephanie Gartley (Camlachie, Ont.) found the back of the net 5:56 into the first half. Gartley received the ball off a cross from senior Natalie Frost (Elmira, N.Y.), beat several defenders and slotted the ball into the lower left corner of the net. It marked Niagara’s fastest goal of the year.

However Niagara’s lead was short lived as Manhattan tied the game less than 10 minutes later when Courtney McMahon beat sophomore Sarah Stephens (Toledo, Ohio) to the far post.

The Purple Eagles took the lead for good when Gartley notched her second goal of the game and third of the weekend, at the 53:11 mark. Senior Brittany Bisnott (Brampton, Ont.) took the ball deep into Manhattan’s end and laid it back to an onrushing Gartley, who collected the ball, took a touch and fired a shot into the upper left corner for the game-winning goal.

The Purple Eagles return to Niagara Field for their final homestand, where they face Rider on Oct. 19 and Loyola on Oct. 21.  Niagara’s game with Loyola will be broadcast on a tape-delay by LCTV and aired Sunday night at 7 p.m. on cable channel 20.