GAME 7
SCORE	Niagara Purple Eagles 10, Canisius Golden Griffins 7
LEADING SCORERS	Niagara – Lois Garlow (3) | Canisius – Katie Smolensky (4)
RECORDS	Niagara (4-3, 4-3 MAAC) | Canisius (1-6, 1-6 MAAC)
LOCATION	Niagara Field

 
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Backed by a strong defensive performance, the Purple Eagles powered their way to a 10-7 victory over their archrivals on Friday night for their second straight win in the series.  
 
SYNOPSIS
Niagara's smothering defense along with scoring contribution from several Purple Eagles made the difference in tonight's contest.
 
The Purple Eagles had to overcome a two-goal deficit midway through the first half before seizing control. Canisius led 3-1 before NU reeled off three straight goals to take its first lead. Goals by Alexandra Leo (15:14) and a pair by Lois Garlow at the 14:16 and 13:43 mark gave NU a 4-3 lead. Canisius' Riley Davis tied the game at 4-4 with 9:58 left in the first half; it would be the last goal the Golden Griffins would score until 8:30 remaining in the second half. The Purple Eagles went into halftime with a 5-4 lead after a goal by Rachel Crane.
 
NU built an 8-4 lead while keeping Canisius off the scoreboard. The Golden Griffins scored three of the next four goals to cut Niagara's lead to 9-7 with 5 minutes left, but Audrey Fithall added a tally a minute later as Niagara halted a comeback attempt.
 
EAGLE'S EYE ON…

• Lois Garlow led the team with a career-high four points with a team-high three goals and one assist and tied a career-high with a game-high five draw controls.
• Alexandra Leo scored a season-high two goals on three shots. Her three draw controls were second on the team.
• Rachel Crane added two goals, one ground ball, and one caused turnover.  
• Lexi Braniecki posted three points with two goals and one assist.
• Audrey Fithall had a game-high four ground balls and three caused turnovers to go along with one goal.
• Shea Swartwout, who leads the MAAC in goals per game, dished out a game-high three assists which ties a career-high.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Niagara has won consecutive meetings for the first time since winning 10 straight to the start the series from 1998-2004.
• NU tied season-highs in assists with six and shots with 31. Niagara's 12 draw controls are tied for the second-most this season.
• The Purple Eagles allowed their fewest goals (7) on the season.
• Lauren Paul is four caused turnovers away from tying the program record in career turnovers (89).

UP NEXT

• The Purple Eagles conclude the three-game series with Canisius on Sunday at 1 p.m.