VESTAL, N.Y. – Laura Kimoto’s (Scarborough, Ont.) 79^th minute goal gave Niagara (6-2-1) a gritty 2-1 victory over the Binghamton Bearcats (4-3-1) on Wednesday night.

“Coming off of the long road trip from Las Vegas, I’m glad to get this game out of the way,” Veltri said. “The team played with good heart, was aggressive for 90 minutes and deserved the win.”

The first half was tight with both teams not creating too many chances.

Five minutes into the second half, Niagara was first to get on the scoreboard. Stephanie Gartley (Camlachie, Ont.) picked up her first assist on the season when Shaylyn Lawrence’s (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) shot beat the keeper to the left far post for her first goal of the season.

 After the Bearcats tied the game in the 60^th minute, the Purple Eagles were full on the attack and recorded four straight shots on net. Kimoto nearly made it 2-1 in the 75^th minute when her header smashed off of the post.  Kimoto would score the game-winning goal four minutes later when she tapped in Alyssa Pollock (Liverpool, N.Y.) saved shot.

Sara Stephens (Toledo, Ohio), who was making her first start of the season, made a late save with 40 seconds.

The win was the Purple Eagles’ first over the Bearcats in four meetings.

The Purple & White is back home on Sunday, September 29 at 1 p.m. against Robert Morris in its last match before conference season.