PITTSBURGH – The Niagara women’s soccer team (2-1-0) rallied from a goal down to pick up a dramatic road win at Duquesne, 2-1. Caitlyn Kilkenny (Seville, Ohio) scored her first-ever collegiate goal in the 75^th minute to tie the game at 1-1 and the game-winning goal came six minutes later from the foot of Laura Kimoto (Scarborough, Ont.).

“We played our best game of the season so far,” head coach Peter Veltri stated.  “I am proud of the way the team fought back after falling down a goal.”

Tonight’s game was the Purple Eagles first road game and the Duquesne Dukes (0-1-1) first home game of the season and both teams started the game on the attack. 

Niagara outshot the Dukes 12-10 in the attack friendly first half; with Stephanie Gartley (Camlachie, Ont.) having four of her five shots saved by Dukes keeper Brittany Findley.

In the 42^nd minute, Kriston Vinicky put the hosts ahead with a penalty kick goal just minutes before halftime.

The Purple Eagles continued the offensive attack well into the second half and broke through in the 75^th minute when Kilkenny netted her first-ever goal to tie the match at 1-1. The next six minutes saw action going end-to-end with both teams’ aggressive play bringing offside calls.

The winning goal came in the 81^st minute when Chiara Greco (Hamilton, Ont.) connected with Kimoto who latched a shot from 20-yards out to beat the keeper and give Niagara a 2-1 win.

“We dominated the first half and created a lot of goal scoring opportunities,” Veltri said.  “We kept up the pressure in the second half and scored the goals we needed to get the win.”

Niagara will be back on the new Niagara Field on Sunday, September 7 when it host the Syracuse Orange (1-2-1) at 4 p.m.