NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women’s soccer team (9-5-2, 4-1-2) wraps up the regular season with two road games this weekend. The Purple Eagles battle MAAC leader Marist on Friday at 7 p.m., before facing Siena Sunday at Noon.
Following its 1-1 tie with Canisius, Niagara dropped to third in the conference, trailing Marist and Loyola. This weekend, the Purple Eagles look to continue their five-game unbeaten streak and claim a place in the MAAC tournament.
Senior Brittany Bisnott is tied for the conference lead with 10 goals and is sixth in assists (5) and continues to solidify her place in NU’s record books. With 59 career goals, she ranks third all-time in scoring and third in points (134) in her four-year career. She has also entered the all-time charts in assists, and is tied for seventh with 16 helpers.
Freshman Ashleigh Bowers (Liverpool, N.Y.) has remained steady in goal for Niagara. Bowers has started nine games this season, including the last three. She posted career numbers in each of the last two games, and tallied a personal-best nine saves against Canisius. She also recorded her first career shutout in Niagara’s tie with Loyola. Currently, she ranks fourth in the conference in save percentage (.826) and sixth in goals against average (1.19).
Meanwhile, Marist leads the league with a 5-1-1 record (8-4-3 overall), with its only loss coming at the hands of Manhattan, 3-2 in overtime. The Red Foxes have three players in double digits in points, including Kate Fox, who leads the team with 15 points on seven goals and an assist. Niagara holds a slight edge in the all-time series, winning six games to Marist’s five. The lone tie in the series came during the 2006 season.
Siena (7-8-1, 4-3-0) has struggled on the road, but is nearly perfect at home. The Saints are 5-1-0 when playing in Loudonville with its only home loss coming to Marist. Tabitha Tice has been Siena’s top offensive performer this season and sits fourth in the conference with 19 points on eight goals and three assists. The last time Niagara and Siena met, Bisnott scored both goals in a 2-0 win. The all-time series sits at 8-8-2.
