NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women's lacrosse team (4-9; 1-3 MAAC) couldn't hold onto a halftime lead, as Canisius (8-7; 4-0 MAAC) outlasted the Purple Eagles 20-11 at Niagara Field on Wednesday night.

The Purple Eagles would overcome two early deficits to tie the game at four on junior Leigh Downing's (Auburn, N.Y.) first goal of the night. The game continued to swing back and forth for much of the first half, until a 3-1 spurt gave the Purple Eagles a 8-7 halftime lead.

Canisius would score the first eight markers of the second half, four of which from the stick of Chelsea Martinez for a 15-8 lead. Downing would score two of Niagara's three second half goals, with the Purple Eagles unable to match Canisius's goal count.

Downing and junior Courtney Formato (Lancaster, N.Y.) each scored three goals in the loss.

Niagara travels to Marist on Friday, April 17, for a 7 pm game which the Purple Eagles must win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.