ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – After a sluggish start following Friday night’s overtime match, the Niagara women’s soccer team (4-4-0) dug deep and pulled out a 2-1 win over a physical St. Bonaventure squad (3-4-1) Sunday afternoon.

"I thought our team did very well," head coach Peter Veltri said. "We struggled with healthy bodies, but we had some freshmen step in and play some important minutes."

The Purple Eagles were without junior Stephanie Gartley (Camlachie, Ont.) for the second-straight game, but freshmen Caitlyn Kilkenny (Seville, Ohio) and Kathryn Potter (Honeoye Falls, N.Y.) saw quality minutes and contributed offensively.

Niagara opened the scoring in the 27th minute on a goal from sophomore Chiara Greco (Hamilton, Ont.). Bisnott received a ball in the penalty box with her back to goal, turned and laid the ball back for an onrushing Greco. Greco received the ball about 20 yards from goal, took a touch and fired a shot that was out of the reach of SBU goalkeeper Nicole Markert.

The Purple Eagles doubled their lead three minutes into the second half when Bisnott found the back of the net off a pass from junior Ashley Mandrino (Farmington, N.Y.). Mandrino split the Bison defense with her pass and Bisnott’s one-timer to the lower left corner beat Bonnies goalkeeper Amanda Prestigiacomo, who started the second half in goal. Bisnott’s goal gives her six on the season, which leads the MAAC, while the assist marks Mandrino’s second of the season.

St. Bonaventure got on the scoreboard at the 62:08 mark when Marilyn Wargo came up with the ball in a scramble and beat sophomore Sarah Stephens (Toledo, Ohio). Stephens made two saves on the afternoon, while freshman Ashleigh Bowers (Liverpool, N.Y.), who started the game in goal, recorded four saves in the first half.

In a physical and tightly-contested match, each team received three cards, including a pair of reds by the Bonnies.

"St. Bonaventure wanted to play a very physical game," Veltri said. "We were very composed and played our game. We got in hard, but cleanly."

On the day, Niagara outshot the Bonnies, 12-9, including a game-high four attempts by Bisnott.

Niagara returns home for a matchup with Robert Morris on Sunday, Sept. 30.