Wednesday:
Live stats Friday:
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Live videoNIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Head women's soccer coach
Peter Veltri leads Niagara into St. Bonaventure, N.Y. as they open their regular season against the Bonnies on Aug. 27 before returning to Monteagle Ridge on Aug. 29 to host the Drexel Dragons. Wednesday's contest is set for a 3 p.m. start while Friday's home opener is scheduled for 7 p.m.
How to Catch the Games- Live stats for both contests can be accessed by clicking on the appropriate link above. Friday's matchup will be streamed live on PurpleEagles.com.
Welcome Back
- The Purple Eagles, who were slated in the eighth position in the 2014 MAAC Preseason Poll with 46 points, welcome back 16 letterwinners from last year's squad that went 4-13-2 and 3-5-2 in the MAAC.
- Four of the team's top five point getters will be suiting up for another season, including senior Catherine Meyer (two goals; four assists) and junior Haillie Price (two goals; one assist). The 2013 Second Team All-MAAC honoree, Danielle Kennedy, will hold up the backline with Jeannie Taylor and Maureen Papaconstantinou.
- Claire Feiertag will begin her third season as a Purple Eagle. The junior suited up for 18 games last season, putting in a 90-save effort for a .769 save percentage.
- There will be seven new faces on the field for the Purple and White this season, including midfielder Kelsey Lafferty who was a two-time first team all-county honoree who aided the Greece Odyssey Academy to a New York State Public High School Athletic Association title. Defender Amelia Gulley will add six to the defense with her 5-foot-9 frame, and experiences from overseas as the Hemel, UK native was a member of a Chelsea's Ladies Centre of Excellence team that won its first FA Youth Cup and the South East League Championships. for a pair of years
Taking a Look at St. Bonaventure
- St. Bonaventure concluded the 2013 season with an 8-10-1 overall mark, and a 4-4-0 record in A10 play. The Bonnies reached the conference semifinals before falling to Dayton, 4-1.
- The team's top returning point getters are seniors Molly Curry and Brittany Charles. Curry netted eight goals last season while Charles dished out 10 assists. The young St. Bonaventure squad welcomes eight freshmen to the squad.
- Returning goalkeeper Christina Sarokon will likely earn the now in between the posts. The junior made 31 saves in 10 contests last season for a .721 save percentage.
- The Bonnies lead the all-time series in the Little 3 rivalry, 18-8-1. The squads last met during the 2012 season where the Purple Eagles dropped a 4-3 decision despite netting a pair of goals less than two minutes apart in the later stages of the game to pull within one of the Bonnies, but the Purple and White's efforts came up short.
The 101 on Drexel
- Drexel started off the 2014 season with a 2-1 victory over Villanova after wrapping up the previous campaign at 7-10-1 (3-5-0 CAA).
- Freshman Madison Dunn and Wilhelmina Hauch-Fausboll tallied the team's first pair of goals in the season. Junior midfielder is the top returning scorer (three goals), while senior Megan Hammaker (two goals; two assists) also returns to the mix to lead the attack.
- Goaltending duties will be held by Eve Badana. The senior started all 18 games last season, compiling a .750 save percentage on 75 saves while putting together four blank slates.
- It's been three seasons since the Purple Eagles and Dragons collided on the field. Niagara opened the 2010 campaign at the Owl Eyes Classic, finishing the even with a 1-0 victory over Drexel. The win was the program's first-ever over the Dragons in three meetings.
Up Next
- Niagara is back in action on Sept. 5 when it travels to Pittsburgh, Pa. to battle Duquesne. After its bout with the Dukes, the Purple Eagles kick start their longest home stand of the season with a four-game set on home turf starting with Buffalo on Sept. 7.
