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NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. –The Niagara women’s lacrosse team wraps up the non-conference portion of the 2013 schedule with a pair of contests this weekend, starting at Duquesne on Friday, March 22 at 6 p.m. and wrapping up on home turf Sunday, March 24 at 1 p.m.

Purple Eagles 101
The Purple Eagles hold a 3-5 mark so far during the 2013 campaign, winning their last three with victories over Detroit Mercy, St. Bonaventure and Long Island University. 

Niagara have a trio of athletes scoring in double-digits, but its Carrie-Jo Farrugia, who is tops on the team in points (19) as the sophomore has netted nine goals and added a team-leading 10 assists.  Maria Battista leads NU with 13 goals, while Danielle Maio (11-5-16) and Brittany Delano (9-2-11) are not far behind.

Kayla Smith is the leader in ground balls picked up (14), and is second on the team in draw controls won 15, three behind Paige Matecki (18). 

Paige Sasser has been the go-to goalie for the Purple Eagles, making 71 saves for a 12.35 goals-against average and a .423 save percentage. 

Last Time Out
The Purple Eagles won their third straight game last Saturday after defeating LIU Brooklyn, 16-6 at Niagara Field. 

Carrie-Jo Farrugia notched six points on the afternoon after scoring two goals and adding four assists.  Danielle Maio wrapped up the contests with a career-high five points, scoring a trio of goals and two helpers, while Maria Battista added four goals.  Katherine Pille also had a solid showing with a three-point game (1 goals; 2 assists).

Goaltender Paige Sasser stopped six Blackbird shots for her third victory of the season.

Taking a Look at the Dukes
Duquesne welcomes Niagara to Rooney Field with a 3-4 record, with its last game ending in a 11-9 overtime loss to Canisius on March 17.

Offensively the team is led by Haley Marafioti (8-11-19), but the goal scoring leader is Caitlin Prince who has pocketed 17 goals thus far.  The Dukes have also received offense from Amanda Kidder (13-5-18), and she is the team-leader in draw controls won (20), and caused turnovers (14).

Goaltending duties will likely be held by Kristen Gregory, owning a 21.50 goals-against average and a .447 save percentage. 

All-Time vs. Duquesne
The Purple Eagles are winless in four tried against the Dukes in a series that began in 1997.  The last time these two teams met was last season when NU fell to its Pittsburgh foe, 19-15. 

Who's Who on the Hornets
Delaware State comes to Monteagle Ridge with a 0-7 record in its first year as a program.  The Hornets last game saw them drop a 21-2 decision to Staten Island, N.Y., and will play Manhattan before taking to the field against Niagara. 

Emily Peets leads Delaware State with five goals thus far, while Kiyanna Brown (3-0-0) and Sierra Harris 2-1-3) are tied with three points each.  Kirkland Lewis has picked up 15 groundballs on the season, as Brown has caused seven turnovers and won 12 draw controls.

Rhian Sellers will likely earn the nod in net.  In 300 minutes of play, she has a .266 save percentage and a 18.1 goals-against average.     

First Time for Everything
Sunday’s contest will be the first meeting between Niagara and Delaware State. 

Lucky Number Three
With the 16-6 victory against LIU Brooklyn, the lacrosse team extended their unbeaten streak to three games, the first time since the 2006 season that the Purps have pocketed three successive wins. 

Finding Net
After dropping the Blackbirds 16-6 last Saturday, Niagara earned its largest margin of victory since earning a 23-5 win over Howard in 2009.

Conference Play Begins
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play begins in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. for the Purple Eagles when they play Marist on March 30.  Niagara then hosts Canisius on April 3 at 7 p.m.