NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Sophomore midfielder Naomi Giovino registered her second goal as a Purple Eagle to push the Niagara women's soccer team to a 2-1 triumph over the Rider Broncs on Wednesday evening at Niagara Field. 

The win improves Niagara to an 8-2-4 (4-1-2 MAAC) mark on the season while Rider drops to 8-4-1, 3-2-1 MAAC. This was the eighteenth meeting between the two teams as the Purple Eagles hold an 11-6-1 advantage in the series.

Rider's Victoria Maley got the Broncs on the board with the first goal of the contest, scoring the tally in the 14th minute off a corner kick from Heather Maierle which was assisted by Maddie Lipton.

Niagara had plenty of scoring opportunities to tie the match over the next fifteen minutes of play, but was not able to capitalize. The hosts almost broke through for a goal after a shot from Laura Ortiz bounced off the hands of Rider goalie and gave Hayley Besaw an opening, but was blocked by a Broncs defender.

The Purple Eagles, then, tied the match in the 33^rd minute after Catherine Meyer sent a cross that sailed into the box which was deflected off Rider's goalie. The two teams headed into halftime with the score standing at 1-1.

With 30 minutes remaining in the contest, senior Haillie Price began the goal-scoring play with a crossing feed from the left side to Giovino.  The sophomore raced into the box and knocked in the game-winning goal to give NU a 2-1 lead.  

"I think today's game really portrayed not only the talent of our team, but the character of our players," said assistant coach Caitlin Long. "It was one of the few games this season where we had to come back from a one-goal deficit. I thought we dominated both halves and really deserved this win." 

The Purple Eagles controlled the pace of play for much of the game, launching 20 total shots in the contest, 12 of which were on frame.  Broncs' had a total of just seven total shot while placing three of them on goal.

Junior goalkeeper Claire Feiertag earned her eighth win of the season with two saves, while her counterpart Bethany-May Howard made 10 stops for the visitors.

Niagara looks to make it three-in-a-row when it travels to Iona on Saturday, Oct. 18 with game time set for 1:00 p.m.