Box Score
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Niagara University women's soccer fell to No. 2 seeded Fairfield on penalty kicks (3-2) in the semifinals of the MAAC Tournament on Friday evening.

"I'm extremely proud of my team," said head coach Peter Veltri. "They fought hard and gave everything they had, but unfortunately we came up on the short end of the stick tonight. To lose in penalty kicks is tough."

Catherine Meyer scored her third goal of the season and the first goal of the match in the 12^th minute mark to put the Purple Eagles up 1-0. Fairfield's goalie was out of position as Meyer scored off a loose ball in the box after a corner kick from sophomore midfielder Naomi Giovino.

For the rest of the first half Fairfield managed to control the majority of possession outshooting the Purple Eagles 5-2. The Stags also had a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks in the half.

Fairfield had many scoring opportunities early in the second half as sprawling junior goalkeeper Claire Feiertag made a fantastic save on a breakaway from Fairfield's Ashley Small in the 50^th minute. Three minutes later Karolyn Collins' shot hit the post and Cassidy Boegel was there for the rebound but her shot went high and wide.

The Stags eventually netted the equalizer when Boegel tied the score 1-1 in the 54^th minute. Boegel dribbled into the box sending a shot that was initially denied by Feiertag but she then scored off her own rebound.

In the first overtime both teams recorded two shots but were not able to capitalize. The two teams battled back and forth in the second overtime as the Purple Eagles registered one shot in the period.

With the score tied at 1-1 after the two overtime periods, the match was forced into a shootout to determine the winner.   

Fairfield missed its first two shots while Niagara's Courtney Pierce and Chelsea Doughty scored both of their penalty kicks giving the Purple Eagles a 2-0 lead. Fairfield tied the score 2-2 by making its next two penalty kicks, whereas NU missed both of its following PKs. Fairfield scored on their final attempt to give the Stags the 3-2 advantage.

"I thought our seniors played great tonight," Veltri said. "They have been outstanding this season and will be very missed."

NU recorded 10 shots in the game with Meyer having all four of her shots on frame. The Stags had a total of 21 shots in the contest putting nine shots on goal. Feiertag made eight saves in the loss while her counterpart Kathleen Early made five.