Women's Soccer Kicks Off Season At Michigan State

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NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women's soccer team kicks off the 2017 season at Michigan State on Friday, Aug. 18 at 3:00 p.m.

On the Field: Niagara Purple Eagles

Niagara returns 19 players from last year's squad which went 5-10-1 overall and finished eighth in the MAAC.
Top returners for the Purple Eagles include senior forward Eva Bachmann, sophomore forward Hailey Bicknell and redshirt-sophomore goalkeeper Shania van Nuland. Bachmann led the team in assists in 2016 with six assists and she also had two goals. Bicknell was second on the team in goals with three and second in assists with two. Van Nuland played in 12 games and finished the 2016 season with 34 saves.
After missing most of the 2016 season due to injury, redshirt-sophomore back Tuesday Jordan and redshirt-senior midfielder Naomi Giovino return to the pitch in 2017. Jordan was a strong defensive presence for NU in 2015 and was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team at the end of the season. Giovino played in 16 games in 2015 and recorded two assists.
Niagara welcomes six newcomers to the team in Paige Hameister, Veda Hensel, Alexis Horwedel, Lindsey LoPresto, Lilly Stowell and Bayley Sullivan. The Purple Eagles also welcomed two mid-year transfers in 2016: Lauren Testa, who came to NU from Daemen College, and Selena Mangoni from the University of Memphis.

Last Matchup with Michigan State

This is the second consecutive season in which Niagara has opened the season against the Spartans. The teams last met on Aug. 19, 2016 in East Lansing, Mich.
The Purple Eagles and the Spartans battled to a 0-0 draw in two overtimes.
Van Nuland earned a shutout and had four saves and was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Week after her performance at Michigan State.

Up Next

The Purple Eagles host St. Bonaventure for their home opener at Niagara Field on Friday, Aug. 25 at 7:00 p.m.

Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for women's soccer updates at @NiagaraWSO. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.

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Players Mentioned

#19 Eva Bachmann: F; 5' 4"; Senior

#3 Hailey Bicknell: F; 5' 0"; Sophomore

#14 Naomi Giovino: M; 5' 6"; Redshirt Senior

#12 Tuesday Jordan: B; 5' 4"; Redshirt Sophomore

#33 Shania van Nuland: GK; 5' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore

#30 Paige Hameister: GK; 5' 7"; Freshman

#8 Veda Hensel: M/F; 5' 3"; Freshman

#24 Alexis Horwedel: M/B; 5' 7"; Freshman

#16 Lindsey LoPresto: B/M; 5' 8"; Freshman

#26 Lilly Stowell: B/M; 5' 11"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#19 Eva Bachmann
: 5' 4"; Senior
: F

#3 Hailey Bicknell
: 5' 0"; Sophomore
: F

#14 Naomi Giovino
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Senior
: M

#12 Tuesday Jordan
: 5' 4"; Redshirt Sophomore
: B

#33 Shania van Nuland
: 5' 5"; Redshirt Sophomore
: GK

#30 Paige Hameister
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: GK

#8 Veda Hensel
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: M/F

#24 Alexis Horwedel
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: M/B

#16 Lindsey LoPresto
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: B/M

#26 Lilly Stowell
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: B/M