NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women's soccer team (5-5-1, 1-1-0 MAAC) continued its recent success against the Rider Broncs (4-6-1, 0-2-0 MAAC) on Sunday afternoon, with a 2-1 victory in front of 183 fans at a windy, cold and wet Niagara Field. The Purple Eagles are now 5-0 in their last five games against the Broncs, outscoring them in that span 19-8.  

"It was a great game today, as we got our first conference win," assistant coach Alex Sahlen said. "We rebounded well from a tough loss, which will set us up nicely for our upcoming road trip."

Niagara struck first in the 17th minute, when senior Chiara Greco (Hamilton, Ont.) drew out Broncs netminder Jenn Nichols and lifted the ball over her from the center of the box for her third goal of the season. The Purple Eagles took a 1-0 lead into halftime, while not allowing a shot on goal.

The Purple Eagles continued to push during the rainy second half, eventually taking a 2-0 lead in the 63rd minute. Greco sent a nice cross from Nichols's right, which was headed into the net by junior Courtney Davies (Las Vegas, Nev.) for her career-high second goal of the season, both of which were game-winners. The Broncs would cut the lead to one in the 80th minute off of a miscue by the Niagara defense, but the Purple and White were able to halt any comeback.

Niagara took 16 shots during the game, which ties the season-high that was hit during two earlier games. Junior netminder Ashleigh Bowers (Liverpool, N.Y.) made three saves to earn the victory.

The Purple Eagles resume MAAC play on Friday at 7 p.m., when they begin a five-game road trip against Manhattan. The game against Rider will be broadcast via tape-delay by Lockport Community Television on Sept. 27 and throughout the following week.