HAMILTON, N.Y. - The Niagara women's soccer team (1-0-0; 0-0-0 MAAC) nipped in-state rival Colgate (1-1-0; 0-0-0 Patriot League) 2-1 on Sunday afternoon. With the victory over the Raiders, the Purple Eagles are now 7-1 in their last eight season-opening games.

Niagara earned its first win of the 2009 season due to its resilience, scoring the game-winning goal about two minutes after the Raiders knotted it at one in the second half. In her first collegiate game, freshman Jamie Raepple (Grand Island, N.Y.) was able to draw the goalkeeper out, before stuffing home the game-winner with approximately 20 minutes left to play.

"This was a difficult game to start the season, but the team responded well," head coach Peter Veltri said. "I'm really proud of the way we played today, as this was a total team effort. Everyone did a great job."

Niagara drew first blood right before halftime, with freshman Michaela DiFazio (Burlington, Ont.) scoring her first collegiate goal on a header in her first collegiate game, on a nice pass from senior Brittany Benthin (Medina, N.Y.).

Junior Ashleigh Bowers (Liverpool, N.Y.) had a solid game, making six saves to perserve the win for the Purple Eagles.

"It's great to see two freshmen make an immediate impact, scoring huge goals for us," Veltri said. Our goalie Ashleigh Bowers was outstanding today, making three or four great saves to power us to the victory."

Niagara will next take on Robert Morris on Friday at 5 p.m., before returning home for its home-opening game against Cornell on Sunday at 3 p.m.