NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Senior forward Stephanie Gartley (Camlachie, Ont.) scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute as Niagara (3-1-0) defeated in-state rival Syracuse (1-3-1) 3-2 on Sunday at Niagara Field. The Purple Eagles led the Orange 1-0 at halftime, but had to rally from behind in the second half to come away with the thrilling win.
“I’m very proud of the way the team played today,” head coach Peter Veltri said.
The Purple Eagles started this regional match with most of the possession and scoring chances.
Freshman forward Laura Kimoto (Scarborough, Ont.) and midfielder Kathryn Potter (Honeoye Falls, N.Y.) both had their shots blocked in the box within the first 22 minutes of the scoreless game. In the 30th minute, Gartley was on the receiving end of a slick through ball by Chiara Greco (Hamilton, Ont.), but her shot hit the side-netting.
Gartley did much better with her second shot in the game. Freshman defender Jennifer Kimoto (Scarborough, Ont.) hit a long ball over the Syracuse backline, allowing Gartley to run onto the ball and slide it past the keeper to give Niagara a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute. The goal was Gartley’s first of the season.
Two minutes later, the Purple Eagles almost made it 2-nil. Aisha Everlsey (Mississauga, Ont.) header from a corner kick was cleared off the line by an Orange defender and Gartley’s shot was also blocked in the box.
Niagara started the second half with another near miss. In the 47th minute, Greco broke free from her defender in the box and pulled her shot just inches wide of the post.
Syracuse’s Megan Bellingham would take over the game for the next six minutes. Bellingham equalized the game in the 54th minute on a header and would take the lead off of a curving free kick in the 60th minute.
The Purple & White turned up the pressure, as they were down a goal in the second half for the second straight game, setting up a wild series in-front of goal.
Gartley was unlucky to smash her shot off of the post. The in suing shot by Shaylyn Lawrence (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) was cleared off of the line and landed at the feet of Potter who hit a dipping shot over the keeper’s head to tie the game at 2-2 in the 72 minute.
With the game inching to overtime, Gartley got on the end of a through ball by Lawrence and chipped it over the oncoming keeper’s head for a Niagara 3-2 lead. Syracuse would have a few chances at the end, but the Purple Eagles defense held on for the win.
Niagara improved its all-time record against Syracuse to 1-1.
“In the first half, we played very well and dominated the game,” Veltri said. “We had some great chances, but you have to capitalize on those chances because all of the sudden we found ourselves down 2-1. You would think heads would go down but I’m very proud of the effort they showed to tie the game and go ahead. The effort they displayed today is what we need to be successful this season.”
All-MAAC Preseason member Stephanie Gartley recorded her first points of the season after four games, but her relentless play has not been overlooked.
“Today might be the first time Gartley has been on the score sheet, but she has been an extremely impactful player on this team,” Veltri said. “She is an unbelievable player and teammate and will do whatever it takes for the team to be successful. “
The Purple Eagles will be back in action next weekend when they host the Niagara Tournament starting on Friday, September 12 against Albany at 7 pm.
