BUFFALO - The Niagara women's soccer team (7-6-1, 3-2-0 MAAC) continued its recent success against cross-town rival Canisius (9-2-2, 2-2-1 MAAC), defeating them 4-1 at Demske Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon.

Niagara earned the first two points in the fourth annual Battle of the Bridge series with the victory, which now makes the Purple Eagles 7-1-1 against Canisius since 2002, outscoring them 24-9 during that span.  

"I'm proud of the way the team played today," head coach Peter Veltri said. "We bounced back from a tough Saint Peter's game very well. It's always nice to put up four goals against your rival and earn the victory."

Niagara drew first blood just 10 minutes into the game, when junior Chelsea Spencer (Burlington, Ont.) scored her first goal of the season, as she ripped a shot from just inside the box, towards the near post, that went over the head of Canisius netminder Daniella Pettinari. In the 36th minute, a great run by senior Chiara Greco (Hamilton, Ont.) was capped off as she twisted her way into the box and beat Pettinari to the near post, for the 2-0 halftime lead.

After several scoring opportunities, junior Erin Baker (Oswego, N.Y.) was awarded a penalty kick in the 55th minute, where she scored her first career goal to put Niagara up 3-0. A little over a minute later, Greco scored her team-leading fifth goal to put the Purple Eagles in the drivers seat at 4-0.

Canisius would strike in the 63rd minute, when Laura Ellis scored after junior netminder Ashleigh Bowers (Liverpool, N.Y.) made the initial save off of Jenny Griffin's header.

Greco finished with two goals and an assist, while Bowers made two saves in the victory.

The Purple Eagles are back in action, when they travel to take on Siena on Friday at 3 p.m.