September 5, 2008 at 1 p.m.
Niagara Purple Eagles (1-1-0) at Duquesne Dukes (0-0-1) (Rooney Field)
September 7, 2008 at 4 p.m.
Syracuse Orange (1-2-0) vs. Niagara Purple Eagles (Niagara Field)
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Shaylyn Lawrence
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The Purple Eagles women’s soccer team will face their first road test of the season and will host a Big East opponent in upcoming games this weekend. Niagara will travel to Pittsburgh, Pa. to play the Duquesne Dukes (0-0-1) at 7 p.m. on Friday, and then host the Syracuse Orange (1-2-0), as part of a Niagara University’s soccer extravaganza, at 4 p.m. Sunday on the new Niagara Field.
Last Time Out
The Niagara women’s soccer team held off a second half comeback by the Cleveland State Vikings (0-3-0) to win its first game of the season, 2-1. Freshman forward Laura Kimoto (Scarborough, Ont.) opened her Niagara account with a first half goal and an assist to lead the Purple Eagles (1-1-0) to their first win on the new Niagara Field.
Fast Starting Frosh
Freshman forward Laura Kimoto quickly sketched her name into the Niagara women’s soccer record book. Her fourth minute goal against Cleveland State on August 31 was not only her first-ever collegiate goal, but the first-ever goal scored by Niagara on the new Niagara Field. Kimoto also added the game-winning assist making her the first Purple Eagle to score a goal and have an assist in one game since Stephanie Gartley did it in a 3-0 victory over Siena on November 14, 2007.
Gartley Watch
Senior Stephanie Gartley enters the 2008 season on the verge of climbing pass several Purple Eagle alumni. She starts the season fifth on the all-time career points list (92), fifth on the all-time career goals list (38) and seventh on the all-time career assists list (16) four behind fourth place. The Calmachie ,Ont. native had a breakout 2007 season and her efforts were rewarded with a second-consecutive All-MAAC second team award. This season, she is already on a All-MAAC team, as a member of the 2008 Preseason All-MAAC . She is the returning team leader in goals (5), points (16) and shots on goal.
Against the Dukes
All-time record against the Dukes (1-3-1)
Last Meeting – September 3, 2005, Tied 3-3
The Niagara University’s women’s soccer team held one-goal leads twice against Duquesne at Niagara Field, but was forced to make a late comeback as the Purple Eagles tied the Dukes, 3-3. Aisha Eversley (Mississauga, Ont.) came off of the bench to score.
About the Dukes
Duquesne returns 15 players, including six starters, from last year’s team that went 11-7-0. The Dukes tied Jacksonville 1-1 in their first game of the season on August 30 and this will be their home season opener.
Against the Orange
All-time record against the Orange (0-1-0)
Last Meeting – September 19, 1996, Syracuse won 3-0
The first and only match between Niagara and Syracuse ended in favor of the Orange by the score of 3-0 on September 19, 1996. The 1996 season was the inaugural season for women’s soccer at SU.
About the Orange
Syracuse defeated Albany, 3-1, to win its season opener for the second straight year. The Orange played in the JMU/Comfort Inn Harrisonburg Invitational and lost to both of their matches to James Madison, 2-1, and William & Mary ,4-1. Syracuse will host Fordham on Friday, September 5 before traveling to Monteagle Ridge.
Against the A-10
The match versus Duquesne will be the 41st game against an Atlantic-10 Conference member. Niagara is 13-24-3 against the A-10, including defeating St. Bonaventure 2-1 in Olean, N.Y. on September 23, 2007.
Against the Big East
Niagara’s history with the Big East is not as long as it is with the A-10. The Purple Eagles are 2-5-2 against the Big East and their last match versus a team from the conference was last season against Pittsburgh in which they lost, 3-0.
MAAC Standings MAAC Overall
1. Manhattan 0-0-0 1-0-0
2. Canisius 0-0-0 1-0-1
3. Fairfield 0-0-0 2-1-0
4. Marist 0-0-0 1-1-0
5. Niagara 0-0-0 1-1-0
6. Saint Peter’s 0-0-0 1-1-0
7. Rider 0-0-0 0-2-1
8. Siena 0-0-0 0-0-0
9. Loyola (MD) 0-0-0 0-2-0
10. Iona 0-0-0 0-3-0
