NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Senior midfielder Courtney Pierce gave the Niagara women's soccer team its second consecutive victory to start the 2014 season with a double overtime tally for a 1-0 win over the Drexel Dragons on Friday evening at Niagara Field.

With the score knotted at zero in the waning moments of the second period of extra time, junior Hayley Besaw slipped a short pass to a wide open Pierce 20 yards out.  Pierce set herself up for a shot, and released a screamer that flew past Drexel goalie Kelsie Fye into the top right corner at the 107^th minute. 

The victory pushed the Purple Eagles to 2-0-0 on the season, the first time since the 2010 campaign where Niagara have notched a pair of wins in the opening pair of games.  The loss handed Drexel its first loss of the young season (1-1-0). 

"Obviously we're very excited to be 2-0 to start the season, but more importantly I think we showed a lot of heart and character tonight," head coach Peter Veltri said. "We didn't play our best game, we struggled at times to keep possession of the ball, but I was proud of our effort.  The girls stuck with it, fought hard and at the end did what all good teams do and that's find a way to score a goal."

The Dragons controlled a majority of the play in the opening 25 minutes of the game, garnering the first four shots. The Niagara defensive backline comprised of seniors Haillie Price and Danielle Kennedy and freshman Amelia Gulley kept Drexel off the scoreboard, while junior goaltender Claire Feiertag made several key stops.  The keeper's first big save of the contest came with 28 minutes remaining in the frame as an errant pass was picked up by Madison Dunn in the box, but her one-on-one attempt was squandered by the diving Feiertag.  

Niagara began to find its rhythm midway through the half, creating opportunities for themselves which resulted in six straight corner kicks, but the Purple and White were unable to capitalize.  Price had Niagara's best chance as the senior's header in the box off a Naomi Giovino corner kick just missed the near post. 

The first 45 minutes wrapped up with neither side finding the back of the net, but the shot count went in favor of the Dragons, 5-2. 

Drexel wasted no time in testing Feiertag after the break as an NU handball landed the Dragon's a free kick right outside the box less than six minutes in.  Feiertag was able to get her fingers on Megan Hammaker's free kick opportunity before it grazed the crossbar.  Drexel continued to maintain possession, outshooting NU 8-2 at the midway point of the half, but Niagara snuck in a couple quality chances including a laser from Price just outside the 18-yard box that went wide.

The squads battled into extra time where Drexel outshot the Purple and White 4-0 in the first 10 minutes, but the Purple Eagles defense and Feiertag maintained their solid play to keep the Dragons off the scoreboard.   

"Even though we didn't play our best as a team, I thought defensively we did really well," Veltri added.  "The keeper and four backs kept us in the game 100 percent defensively.  Offensively we found a way to put the ball in the back of the net and we'll take it.  Any time you can win your home opener and do it in style is always a great thing." 

Feiertag made seven saves for the victory.  Drexel finished the contest with a 17-5 advantage in shots, while Niagara held a slim advantage in corner kick, 10-9. 

Niagara continues its non-conference schedule on Friday, Sept. 5 in Pittsburgh, Pa. against Duquesne.  The Purple Eagles and the Dukes begin play at 7 p.m.