NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women’s soccer team opens Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play this weekend when its faces a pair of conference foes at Niagara Field. The Purple Eagles kick off the league season Friday afternoon when they face Iona at 3:30 p.m., followed by a Noon meeting with Fairfield on Sunday.

Niagara is coming off a solid win over Robert Morris, the team’s second in as many games. Niagara also recorded consecutive wins against Binghamton and Detroit in mid-September.

In its win over Robert Morris, the team registered a season-high 27 shots, including 13 on frame. NU’s previous high was 23 attempts against Binghamton on Sept. 9. Although the Purple Eagles possessed the majority of the chances, they were held to a single goal in the victory. The score could have been higher, but Niagara hit the crossbar twice and the post once in the first half alone.

Senior Brittany Bisnott (Brampton, Ont.) managed to beat Robert Morris’ goalkeeper, notching her conference-leading seventh goal of the season. The tally marked her third game-winning goal of the season and her third-straight game with at least one goal. Bisnott now has 125 points in her career, tying her for third with Jane Baker on Niagara’s all-time scoring charts. Bisnott leads the MAAC in several offensive categories, including shots, points and game-winning goals.

Niagara’s defense has also been solid this season, allowing just 14 goals in nine games. The backline combination of senior Christina Langrell (Tillsonburg, Ont,), junior Ashley Mandrino (Farmington, N.Y.) and freshmen Erin Baker (Oswego, N.Y.) and Alyssa Pollock (Liverpool, N.Y.) have started nearly every game for the Purple Eagles. Mandrino has also contributed offensively from her central role with two assists this season, while Baker notched an assist from her spot on the outside.

Niagara owns the best record among MAAC teams at 5-4, and enters MAAC play on a two-game win streak.

Iona (2-9-0) has struggled to put the ball in the net, as the Gaels have been shut out in seven of their 11 games, including their last two. Although the Iona has scored only eight times this season, the scoring load has been spread among six players, including Carol Danis, who leads the team with three goals. Niagara is 10-6-1 all-time against Iona, including last year’s 2-0 win.

Sunday’s match with Fairfield (4-4-1) will be a good test for the Purple Eagles. Although, Fairfield is undefeated at home, they have failed to earn a road win and are 0-3-1 when playing at an opponent’s home field. The Stags lead the conference in goals, assists and points, however Niagara is not far behind, as the Purple Eagles are tied for second with Loyola in goals and points, and sit third in assists. Fairfield has a balanced attack, as 11 players have recorded either a goal or assist this season, including Nicole Cavallaro, who leads the team with seven points on one goal and five assists. Niagara is 5-13-0 all-time versus Fairfield but NU has held the upperhand recently, as the Purple Eagles won back-to-back games against the Stags, including a 2-0 win in the opening round of the 2006 MAAC tournament.