Friday’s Live Stats | Sunday’s Live Stats
 
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women’s soccer team begins its final road trip of the regular season this weekend when the Purple Eagles travel to Baltimore, Md. on Friday, Oct. 19 for a matchup against Loyola at 7 p.m., followed by a game against the Rider Broncs on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 3 p.m.  

Follow the Purple Eagles
Live Stats for Friday’s game against Loyola and Sunday’s afternoon game against Rider will be available.  To access live stats, please click on the appropriate link above. 
 
Purple Eagles 101
Niagara is heading into weekend play with a two-game unbeaten streak to its name.  The team holds an 8-7-0 overall record, and a 3-3 conference mark. 
 
The Purple Eagles are not lacking in offensive contributions, as 14 individuals have earned at least one point thus far, while 12 have scored at least one goal.  Danielle Kennedy leads the Purps with four goals, while Jamie Raepple  Haillie Price  Catherine Meyer and Breanna Catipovic have each netted three. 
 
Rookie Maria Siegrist-Gabas continues to lead the team in assists (5), while is second on the team in points (9).
 
While Claire Feiertag has played a majority of the season, senior Amanda Taylor was given the opportunity to start the previous two contests.  Feiertag currently owns a 1.49 goals-against average and a .771 save percentage, while Taylor has not allowed a goal in 225 minutes of play, making 10 saves in that span.   
 
Conference Honors
Taylor was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week after earning her first and second shutout of the season last weekend.
 
The Rochester, N.Y. native made her first start against Manhattan on Friday, making four saves en route to the 1-0 victory.  On Sunday, the senior stopped two Saint Peter’s shots for her second straight shutout. 

Her superb play was also recognized by College Sports Madness as she was named Madness Women's Soccer MAAC Player of the Week.  
 
Scouting the Greyhounds
Loyola (Md.) currently owns a 7-4-4 overall record, with a 3-1-1 conference mark.  The team recently battled the Rider Broncs to a 1-1 double overtime draw. 
 
Senior forward Nichole Schiro is tops on the Greyhounds in all offensive categories, including goals (9), assists (3) and points (21).  Junior Katelyn McFadden (3-2-8) and senior Brittany Yancey (2-1-5) have helped the Greyhounds up top. 
 
Junior Didi Haracic will likely earn the nod in goal, having made 72 saves for a .809 save percentage and a 1.09 goals-against average.  

Loyola vs. Niagara
The Greyhounds hold a convincing 22-0-1 lead over the Purple Eagles in the all-time series that dates back to Sept. 25, 1993. 
 
Last season Loyola held the upper hand over NU with 0-2 record.  The first loss came in the regular season, as the Greyhounds squeaked past the Purple Eagles, 3-2.  The teams met up again in the opening round of the 2011 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championships, where Loyola blanked NU by a score of 5-0. 

Taking a Look at the Broncs
Rider welcomes Niagara to Ben Cohen Field with a 7-3-3 record (2-2-1 MAAC), after coming out with a 1-1 double overtime draw against Loyola last Saturday.  The Broncs will host Canisius on Friday before taking on the Purple Eagles on Sunday. 
 
The team is led by Tara Ballay (4-1-9) and Abi Cottam (2-5-9), Jennifer Meier is close behind with two goals and two helpers.
 
Keeper Jenn Nichols has seen action in all 13 games this season, compiling a .846 save percentage and a 0.87 goals against average.  She has five blank sheets to her name.
 
All-Time vs. Rider
Niagara has a slight edge over the Broncs in the all-time series, heading into Sunday leading Rider by a 10-5-0 margin.
 
NU blanked Rider last season, 2-0 during a three-game undefeated streak.  Picanco and Catipovic each tallied Purple Eagles scores, while Meyer contributed an assist. 
 
Last Time Out    
Niagara came out of weekend play with a 2-0 record, grabbing wins against Manhattan on Friday, Oct. 12 before earning a convincing 7-0 victory over Saint Peter’s on Sunday, Oct. 14. 
 
Siegrist-Gabas scored the game-winning tally in the 76^th minute of play, as DiFazio was credited with the assist.
 
On Sunday, the Purps got scores from five different individual, while eight members of the team earned at least a point against Saint Peter’s.  Catipovic scored her first collegiate hat-trick, while Hayley Besaw  Raepple, Michaela DiFazio  and Kiley Titus added scores for Niagara.
 
Taylor started both games, wrapping up play with six saves and two shutouts.  

Next Up for NU
Niagara wraps up the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 27 against crosstown rival Canisius at 7 p.m.