POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - In a must-win game to keep its playoff hopes alive, the Niagara women's lacrosse team (4-10, 1-4 MAAC) came up short, dropping a 16-4 decision to the Marist Red Foxes (9-4, 3-2 MAAC) at Tenney Stadium on Friday night. The Red Foxes clinched the fourth and final spot in next week's MAAC Tournament with the victory over the Purple Eagles.

The Purple Eagles opened their scoring halfway through the opening period, with junior Leigh Downing (Auburn, N.Y.) cutting the Red Foxes lead to two. Marist would then go on a 6-1 run for a commanding 9-2 lead with four minutes left in the first half. Niagara would not go quietly into the half, with freshman Emily French (Tully, N.Y.) and sophomore Rianne Farrugia (Elbridge, N.Y.) scoring in the final minute to cut the Marist lead to 9-4.

Marist would open scoring seven minutes into the second half, scoring four goals in a 2:29 span to take a 13-4 lead. The Red Foxes would add three more goals throughout the rest of the game for the final tally.

The Purple Eagles conclude the 2009 season against Fairfield at noon on Sunday.