September 19, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Niagara Purple Eagles (5-1-0) vs. Idaho Vandals (1-5-0)
September 21, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.
UNLV Rebels (6-1-1) vs. Niagara Purple Eagles
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Courtney Davies
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NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women’s soccer team rolls into Las Vegas to take on the Idaho Vandals (1-5-0) and host the No. 25 UNLV Rebels (6-1-1) on Friday, September 19 and Sunday, September 21, respectively. The Purple Eagles boast a five-game winning streak, including winning the Niagara Falls Classic last weekend, and are ranked 11th in the NSCAA Northeast Poll.
Last Time Out
Niagara was crowned Niagara Falls Classic champions after beating Albany 4-2 and North Dakota 2-0 last weekend. Against the Fighting Sioux, Laura Kimoto (Scarborough, Ont.) and Chiara Greco (Hamilton, Ont.) scored a goal each and Ashleigh Bowers (Liverpool, N.Y.) picked up the first clean sheet of the season for Niagara. Senior forward Stephanie Gartley (Camlachie, Ont.) scored a hat-trick against the Great Danes en route to being named tournament MVP.
Regional Ranking
Niagara’s 5-1-1 start has been recognized by the NSCAA and this week the Purple Eagles are tied for 11th with Northeastern in the NSCAA/adidas Northeast Regional Rankings.
Gartley Watch
Stephanie Gartley is vastly approaching a career milestone. On September 7 against Syracuse, Gartley scored her first two goals of the season, the latter being the game-winner. In her next game against Albany, Gartley bagged a hat-trick. The five goals now put her only two goals behind Jane Baker for fourth place in all-time career goals at Niagara. She leads the MAAC in shots per game (4.00) and is tied for fourth in points (10).
Against the Vandals
All-time record against the Vandals (First-ever meeting)
About the Vandals
Idaho heads into the UNLV Classic after a tough 1-0 defeat to the Minnesota Gophers. The Vandals (1-5-0) lone win of the season was against in-state rival Idaho State. Senior forward Nicole McAllister leads the Vandals with two goals and four points on the season.
Against the Rebels
All-time record against the Rebels (First-ever meeting)
About the Rebels
The UNLV Rebels will be the highest-ranked opponent the Purple Eagles have faced so far this season. The Rebels enter their tournament ranked for the first time in school history (No. 25 in Soccer America) and their 6-1-1 record ties their best start to a season. Sophomore forward Ashleigh Shoughro leads the Rebels and is tied fourth in the Mountain West Conference with nine points off four goals.
Against the WAC/MWC
Friday and Sunday matches against WAC member Idaho and MWC member UNLV will be the first-ever meetings against schools from those conferences in Niagara women’s soccer history.
NSCAA/adidas Northeast Region
1 Boston College 6-1 0
2 Boston University 4-3-0
3 Brown 2-1-1
4 Fairfield 6-1-0
5 Yale 3-2-0
5 St. Johns (NY) 4 -1-1
7 Central Connecticut State 3-2-3
8 Columbia 2- 2-1
9 Harvard 2- 2 -1
10 Long Island 5-1-1
11 Niagara 5-1-0
11 Northeastern 3-2-1
MAAC Standings MAAC Overall
1. Siena 0-0-0 4-0-0
2. Fairfield 0-0-0 6-1-0
3. Niagara 0-0-0 5-1-0
4. Canisius 0-0-0 4-0-3
5. Manhattan 0-0-0 3-2-0
6. Saint Peter’s 0-0-0 2-3-0
7. Rider 0-0-0 1-5-2
8. Marist 0-0-0 1-4-0
9. Loyola (MD) 0-0-0 0-5-1
10. Iona 0-0-0 0-7-0
