NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - For the first time since 2007, the Niagara women's soccer team (2-3-1) played to a scoreless draw, this time coming against the Syracuse Orange (3-2-2) in front of 350 fans at Niagara Field on Sunday afternoon.

The last time Niagara was involved in a scoreless draw was against Loyola at home on Oct. 21, 2007. Like in the Loyola game, the Purple Eagles had plenty of opportunities to earn the victory, but just couldn't but the ball in the net.

"I'm proud of the way that the team played today," head coach Peter Veltri said. "Plenty of positives came out of today's game, even though we didn't earn the win. Ashleigh Bowers and Jennifer Kimoto played very well for us today."

With the game barely six minutes old, senior Chiara Greco (Hamilton, Ont.) had a free kick, which was blocked by the Syracuse defense. On the other end of the field, junior Ashleigh Bowers (Liverpool, N.Y.) was just as sharp, stopping a shot from Syracuse's Tina Romagnuolo to keep the game scoreless. The Purple Eagles were tied going into the half, even though they were trailing in the shots category 6-3.

The second half saw its share of ups and downs, including a partial breakaway for senior Ashley Mandrino (Farmington, N.Y.), which Syracuse goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan stopped a bullet of a shot from the defender. Bowers was just as busy at the other end, making two key saves to keep the game scoreless, including a shot that looked to beat her high, but she was able to get her sprawling fingertips on it to push it away.

Niagara had a shot or two in overtime, but just couldn't convert. The best chance for the purple and white came on a through ball, which junior Caitlin Long (Tonawanda, N.Y.) got a read on, but Bennett-Hattan was in good position to quell the scoring opportunity just inside the box.

The Purple Eagles now head to the road to take on Cleveland State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Niagara's clash against Syracuse will be aired via tape delay on Lockport Community Television at 7 p.m. on Sept. 13.