NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women’s soccer team (8-5-0, 3-1 in MAAC) returns to the friendly confines of Niagara Field to face Rider and Loyola in the team’s final home weekend. Friday’s match with the Broncs kicks off at 3 p.m., while Sunday’s contest with the Greyhounds starts at noon.

In its 4-0 win over Saint Peter’s last weekend, Niagara received contributions from several players. Junior Shaylyn Lawrence (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) and Kathryn Potter (Honeoye Falls, N.Y.) each scored for the first time this season, while freshman Emily McElroy (Liverpool, N.Y.) notched her first career point with an assist.

Niagara played its best game of the season on Sunday, downing Manhattan, 2-1. Junior Stephanie Gartley (Camlachie, Ont.) recorded her first multiple-point game of the year, scoring both goals in the win.

Senior Brittany Bisnott (Brampton, Ont.) continues her assault on the NU record books. Bisnott picked up a goal and two assists last weekend to bring her career point total to 131. With 58 goals, she sits third on NU’s all-time scoring list and with seven regular season games and the MAAC tournament remaining, Bisnott has a chance to continue her ascent. Rosie Lusak holds the career record with 69 goals, while Tracy Howell sits in second place with 67.

But Bisnott isn’t the only Purple Eagle making her mark on the program. After missing two games with an injury, Gartley has regained her scoring touch and following her six-point weekend, she has totaled 36 goals in her career, which ranks fifth all-time. Jane Baker occupies fourth place on NU’s charts with 45 goals. Gartley is now second on the team in scoring with 11 points, behind only Bisnott’s 22.

Following a pair of wins last weekend, Niagara looks to continue its winning ways against Rider and Loyola.

Rider (5-5-3, 1-2-0 MAAC) sits tied for seventh in the conference and is led in scoring by Lauren Musumeci with 13 points on five goals and three assists. Niagara is 6-4 all-time against Rider, including last year’s 6-2 win in Lawrenceville, N.J.

Meanwhile, Loyola (5-5-2, 2-0-1 MAAC) is tied for fourth with Manhattan in the MAAC standings and is coming off a 1-0 defeat of Rider and a convincing 9-0 win over Saint Peter’s. The Greyhounds are in the midst of a four-game unbeaten streak and have not allowed a goal in their last three games. The preseason choice to win the conference, Loyola leads the MAAC in goals-per-game, averaging 3.33 an outing. Theresa Ferraina has been the Greyhounds top finisher, recording 14 points on six goals and a pair of assists. Niagara has never defeated Loyola and are 0-16-0 all-time against the Greyhounds.

Sunday’s match with Loyola also marks the final home game for Niagara’s five seniors. Natalie Frost (Elmira, N.Y.), Christina Langrell (Tillsonburg, Ont.), Bisnott, Erin Moreland (Lewiston, N.Y.) and Justine Sacco (Hamburg, N.Y.) will step onto Niagara Field for the final time in a Purple Eagle uniform. The game will be broadcast on a tape-delay by LCTV and aired Sunday night at 7 p.m. on cable channel 20.