Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women's soccer team (7-9-1; 5-2-1 MAAC) took a giant leap towards a berth into the 2011 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship Tournament with a 4-0 win over the visiting Iona Gaels (5-10-3; 4-3-1 MAAC) on Friday night at Niagara Field.

The Purple Eagles defeated the Gaels, the team that they were tied with for second place before the contest. A win or a tie on Sunday against the third place Fairfield Stags will definitely put Niagara into the postseason, as well as either Loyola or Iona earned anything less than a win in their final game.

"I'm very proud of the way we played tonight," head coach Peter Veltri said. "We need a win tonight and we worked hard to get it. I was impressed with the way we came out tonight and took the game ot them."

Sophomore Breanna Catipovic got the 175 fans at Niagara Field on their feet in the fourth minute, when she stuffed home a great feed from senior Kathryn Potter. Niagara would hold the slim 1-0 lead until the half.

The Purple Eagles would explode for three goals in the second half, to put the game away. Senior Karina Kesvatera would net her first collegiate goal in the 54th minute for a 2-0 advantage, while Catipovic added her second tally of the night in the 66th minute. 

Freshman Catherine Meyer finished the game with a crafty one-on-one move against the Gaels goalkeeper Trista Rivera for a 4-0 Niagara lead.  

Catipovic scored two goals for Niagara, while Potter had two assists. Senior goalkeeper Gabrielle Wilson made four saves for the clean sheet.

Niagara wraps up the regular season with a Senior Day clash against third place Fairfield at noon.