Box Score

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The Niagara women’s lacrosse team fell to the Siena Saints by a score of 12-9 on Saturday afternoon at Siena Turk Field in the final game of the regular season.

"Once again today there were moments of brilliance, we just were not consistent enough to get the win," head coach Wendy Stone said.  "I am very proud of the progress the team made over the course of the year; the future of the lacrosse program at NU is very bright."

Siena (4-11; 2-4 MAAC) jumped out to an early lead behind Katie Maguire’s pair of goals, giving the Saints a 3-0 advantage with 23:53 on the clock in the opening period.  Neither team would find the back of the net for the next 11 minutes until Kayla Smith pulled Niagara within two at 12:32 with her eighth goal of the season. 

Shannon Pfohl responded for the Saints with two goals to make it 5-1 with 6:48 left on the clock, but a late first half surge by the Purps made it a one-goal game heading into the break.  The three-goal attack was started by Danielle Maio at 5:21, followed by Smith’s second tally of the game.  Fran Pollastro wrapped up the half’s scoring with her 19th goal of the year in the final 1:28 with an assist being given to Maria Battista. 

Siena held 14-7 advantage in the shot department after 30 minutes of play, while NU goaltender Paige Sasser had seven saves to her name.

After the intermission, the Saint’s offense once again opened the half with three consecutive goals to make it an 8-4 game before Niagara netted a trio of its own goals to keep the contest close with 16:54 remaining in the game.

Pollastro scored the Purple Eagles’ first goal of the half at 23:08 and Katherine Pille followed up with her seventh goal of the year about five minutes later.  Pille then contributed an assist in Carrie-Jo Farrugia's 18th goal of the season to pull NU within one at 16:54.  

Despite Niagara’s efforts to pull the game within one, the Saints finished the game with a 4-2 run to prevent the Purple Eagle comeback.  Farrugia and Paige Matecki added the final two NU goals of the game. 

Sasser finished the game with nine saves. 

The Purple Eagles finished the season with a 5-11 overall record, and a 1-5 MAAC mark.