NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Despite holding visiting Fairfield scoreless for a long portion of the second half, the Niagara women's lacrosse team dropped a 13-10 decision to the visiting Stags on Saturday afternoon. The Purple Eagles went on a 5-0 run that spanned more than 16 minutes and got them to within one goal, but couldn't hold on as Fairfield took command late in the match.
 
Game Recap

• After Fairfield struck for the first two goals of the day, Shea Swartwout got the Purple Eagles on the board by cutting in front of the Stags' net, taking a quick pass from Rachel MacCheyne, and depositing it for her 12th tally of the year.
• MacCheyne added her second helper of the game when she fed Hailey D'Hont with 16:17 left in the first half to cut Fairfield's lead to 3-2.
• Six minutes later, Caroline Crump pulled Niagara to within 5-3 by pouring in her 21st of the season.
• Alexis Morales scored to make it 7-4 Fairfield by pocketing a goal in the lower left corner of the net. MacCheyne assisted on the tally for the third time in the half.
• Crump scored again 1:19 into the second half, making it 10-5.
• After a Fairfield yellow card put Niagara up a player with six minutes gone in the second half, Swartwout took a MacCheyne pass on a free position and easily dumped it in over the goalkeeper's right shoulder to put the score at 10-6.
• Less than two minutes later, Niagara scored its third unanswered goal off the stick of Morales. Following the strike, the Stags were forced to call a timeout to try and slow the offensive onslaught.
• Despite the break, D'Hont quickly got Niagara to within two and ignited the Purple Eagles' bench with 21:30 to play in regulation.
• MacCheyne finally got on the scoreboard herself and brought the team to within one with 13:37 elapsed. The Purple Eagles were down a man and held the ball to wait for Crump to return. Niagara began working the ball inside as the penalty was about to expire, and MacCheyne struck with Crump not three steps onto the turf.
•  The Stags struck again, pushing their lead to 11-9, before Crump got it right back and netted another hat trick with 10:36 left in regulation.

Defensive Spotlight

• After Fairfield scored 48 seconds into the second half, Niagara executed well on both ends of the field to keep the Stags from scoring for more than 16 minutes while the Purple Eagles ripped off five straight goals.

 
Milestones Met

• Alexis Morales
  • Surpassed Carrie-Jo Faruggia ('15) for career goals and now sits in place fifth all-time with 105.

 Up Next

• Siena will host Niagara in a midweek meeting on Wednesday, April 3. Opening draw will take place at 3 p.m.

 
 
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