NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – In a match between the top two MAAC schools in the conference standings, the first-place Monmouth Hawks topped the second-place Niagara Purple Eagles, 2-0, in Niagara's home finale on Saturday afternoon.

Monmouth (13-2-2, 9-1-0 MAAC) forward Erica Murphy scored in each half to provide the game's only goals and increased her MAAC lead to 15 goals on the season. With the victory, the Hawks clinched the No. 1 seed for the upcoming MAAC tournament.

Niagara (8-6-2, 6-3-0 MAAC) defender Amelia Gulley led the team with two shots on goal and Laura Ortiz had three total shots for the Purple Eagles. Claire Feiertrag made a game-high three saves on the day.

Gulley had the Purple Eagle's best scoring opportunity on the day when her long-range shot in the dying seconds of the first half required the Monmouth goalie to dive back and tip the ball over the crossbar.

Niagara honored the careers of its seniors Feiertag, Hayley Besaw, Haillie Price, Bianca Marrara and Jami Petersen with a pre-game ceremony.

The Purple Eagles conclude the regular season with a road game at Marist on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 1:00 pm. Valuable points will be on the line and Niagara can still clinch a top two finish which will give the Purple Eagles a bye. NU could also host a game in the upcoming MAAC Championship Tournament with a third or fourth place finish.

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