GAME 1
SCORE	Niagara Purple Eagles 1, Canisius Golden Griffins 0
SCORERS	Niagara – Annie Ibey (40')
RECORDS	Niagara (1-0-0) | Canisius (0-1-0)
LOCATION	Demske Sports Complex

 
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Striker Annie Ibey's volley was the game-winning goal in Niagara's 1-0 victory over the Canisius Golden Griffins on Tuesday to kick off the season.

SYNOPSIS
The Purple Eagles dominated their archrival over the 90-minute contest. Niagara dictated action by having the lion's share of possession while also having a substantial advantage in shots (17-5).
 
Niagara was rewarded for the efforts with a goal in the 40^th minute. The Purple Eagles won the ball in the back to start the counter-attack. Djeynaba Thiam controlled the ball at midfield and laid it off to Florence Vailancourt, who sprinted down the right and played a cross into the box, which found the right foot of Ibey. The Niagara Falls, Ontario native cushioned her shot and the ball hit the underside of the crossbar which proved to be the game-winning goal.
 
NU continued its dominance in the second half, outshooting Canisius 9-2. The Purple Eagles nearly added to their lead a few times, with the closes coming on a breakaway in the 82^nd minute but Kelsey Araujo pulled her shot wide left.

EAGLE'S EYE ON…

• Annie Ibey, who has either led or shared the team-high in goals for a season in the last two seasons, has scored in the season opener for the second straight season. Ibey opened the 2019 season scoring in four consecutive games.
• Sophomore Florence Vaillancourt registered her first career assist.
• Kelsey Araujo had a match-high four shots.
• Clara Bornet made two saves in her debut as a Purple Eagle.
• Mia Palango, Clara Bornet, Emma Davies, Olivia Hooley, Molly Torbin, and Emma Bough all made their first appearance for Niagara.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Annie Ibey has 17 career goals which leave her on the cusp of cracking the top-10 in career goals.  
• After three straight draws in the series, the Purple Eagles earned their first regular-season win versus Canisius since 2015.
• The Purple Eagles improved to 7-2-2 in their last 11 trips to Canisius.   
• NU has won its season-opener for the second straight season and won its first league opener since the 2018 season.

UP NEXT

• The Purple Eagles host Siena on March 23 at 3 p.m. for their first home game.

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