NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women’s soccer team extended its win streak to three games with a 2-1 victory over Rider on a windy Friday afternoon at Niagara Field. The Purple Eagles improve to 9-5-0 (4-1 MAAC), while Rider falls to 5-6-3 (1-3-0 MAAC).

“At times I thought we played very well today,” head coach Peter Veltri said. “When we did, we created a lot of good opportunities, but at other times, we allowed them to stay in the game. We need to learn to be more consistent and play to our ability for the full 90 minutes. However, I’m happy we’re 4-1 in the conference and in a position to determine how far we can go.”

Junior Shaylyn Lawrence (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) opened the scoring in the 24th minute, finding the back of the net after a brief scramble in the box. Sophomore Chiara Greco (Hamilton, Ont.) sent a corner kick into the six-yard box that a Purple Eagle managed to get her head on. Senior Christina Langrell (Tillsonburg, Ont.) collected the loose ball but her attempt was blocked by a Bronc defender. Lawrence picked up the rebound and sent a shot past Rider’s Alex Post, for her second goal of the season.

Niagara had several good changes to extend its lead after half time, and the Purple Eagles finally broke free in the 67th minute when senior Brittany Bisnott (Brampton, Ont.) found some room to run at the Rider defense. Bisnott attacked the Broncs’ backline creating space behind her, where she laid the ball back to Greco, who was making a supporting run. Greco received the ball, took a few touches and fired from just outside the box for the eventual game-winning goal.

NU nearly made it 3-0 in the 73rd minute sparked by a tremendous run by Stephanie Gartley (Camlachie, Ont.). Gartley received the ball near midfield and made a 40-yard run down the right flank to the goal line, and crossed the ball into Bisnott, who was all alone near the penalty spot. Bisnott received the ball on her chest, but her shot sailed over the cross bar.

Defensively, Niagara held Rider to 14 shots, but was unable to keep the Broncs’ off the scoreboard. In the 77th minute, Rider’s Michele Ripoll launched a 35-yard wind-aided shot that just dipped under the cross bar. Freshman goalkeeper Ashleigh Bowers (Liverpool, N.Y.), who played the full 90 minutes, posted a career-high eight saves, including an outstanding extension dive in the first half that kept the score knotted at zero. Rider’s Stephanie Madden took a shot in the 18th minute that seemed destined for the lower left corner, but Bowers dove to her right and got her fingertips on the ball, pushing it just wide of the goal.

In their final home game, the Purple Eagles will celebrate senior day on Sunday, Oct. 21, when they face Loyola at noon. The game will be broadcast on a tape-delay by LCTV and aired Sunday night at 7 p.m. on cable channel 20.