NIAGARA UNIV. N.Y. - In their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game of the season, the Niagara lacrosse team (2-5, 0-1) fell to the Siena Saints 18-6 at the Niagara Field on Sunday afternoon.

Down by a goal early, the Purple Eagles scored to tie the game at 1-1. Leigh Downing (Auburn, N.Y.) scored her first of three goals on the contests. The Saints the responded and scored seven consecutive goals in the first half. Downing then picked up one more goal to end the first half with a score of 8-2.

Each team picked up three goals at the start of the second half. For Niagara, Courtney Formato (Lan caster, N.Y.), Kristen Pieszak (Elma, N.Y.) and Downing each picked up a goal in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Siena on to score five more consecutive goals before Formato picked up another goal.

Siena scored two more goals to end the contest 18-6.

In net for the Purple Eagles was Whitney Gill (Canadaigua, N.Y.) who faced 31 shots.

Niagara takes a break from conference action on Wednesday to play host to the St. Bonaventure Bonnies at the Niagara field at 4 p.m.