Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara women's soccer team (5-8-0, 3-1-0 MAAC) dropped a close 3-2 contest to the visiting Loyola Greyhounds (4-9-0, 2-1-0 MAAC) on Sunday afternoon at Niagara Field.

With the Greyhounds leading 2-1, Niagara pushed the offensive tempo, including several chances. The Purple Eagles took five second half corner kicks, but were unable to find the back of the net. Loyola took advantage in the 89th minute, when a misplayed ball by an out of position Gabrielle Wilson was lofted into the air by Chantal Celestin for a 3-1 lead.

Niagara would get that goal back 42 seconds later, after a hard foul in the box called for a Niagara penalty kick. Junior Julianne Viviano put it past the left side of Greyhounds netminder Dijana Haracic. Niagara would come no closer in the final 19 seconds of the game, seeing its three-game winning streak broken.

"I was disappointed with the loss," head coach Peter Veltri said. "Considering the injuries to our student-athletes that we are facing currently, I'm proud of our effort today. We played hard and challenged Loyola."

Niagara opened scoring in the sixth minute, when freshman Catherine Meyer sent a crossing pass for sophomore Breanna Catipovic in the box, where she settled the pass and drilled a low shot past Haracic. The Greyhounds would tie the game in the 25th minute, when a long shot by Gianna Mangione beat a diving Wilson to the right post.

The Purple Eagles almost took a 2-1 lead a minute later, when Meyer put a shot on net, with the rebound coming out to sophomore Kayla Picanco. Picanco ripped a shot that clanked off the left post and back into play.

Niagara now begins a three-game road trip, starting against cross-town rival Canisius on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.