NIAGARA UNIV, N.Y. – A trio of Purple Eagles scored their first goals of the season as the Niagara women’s soccer team cruised past the Saint Peter’s Peahens, 4-0, on Friday night at Niagara Field.

"I thought we played well defensively as a team," head coach Peter Veltri said. "We limited them to only a few shots on goal."

Niagara (10-5-1, 5-3-0 MAAC) improved its home mark to 6-0-1 on the season with the shutout victory, which is the eighth time this season Niagara has kept an opponent off of the scoreboard.

Niagara struck twice in each side of the half. Julianne Viviano netted her first goal of the season in the 32nd minute when she tapped home Jaime Raepple’s pass inside of the box. Senior Erin Baker put NU up 2-0 in the 43rd minute. Baker held her run which allowed Chelsea Spencer to play a through ball between the defense; Baker collected the ball and slid it past the keeper for her second goal of the season.

The Purple Eagles continued to beat the offside trap with timely passes from the midfield, which led to two quick goals to start the second half. Caitlyn Kilkenny and Annie Palermo each tallied their first goals of the season in the 47th and 49th minute, respectively.

Niagara, which outshot Saint Peter’s (3-15-0, 0-8-0 MAAC) 25-6 in the match, came close to adding to the goal total from efforts by Bre Catipovic, Chelsea Mandrino and Spencer later in the half.

"We created a lot of chances tonight and scored four very nice goals," Veltri said.  

Niagara, winners of five of its last six games, moved into a three-way tie for third place with Loyola and Siena. The Purple Eagles will host the Manhattan Jaspers for their senior day on Sunday and can qualify for the 2010 MAAC Tournament with a win.