GAME 8
SCORE	Niagara Purple Eagles 11, Canisius Golden Griffins 4
LEADING SCORERS	Niagara – Lois Garlow (3) | Canisius – Marissa Malvaso (2)
RECORDS	Niagara (5-3, 5-3 MAAC) | Canisius (1-7, 1-7 MAAC)
LOCATION	Niagara Field

 
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles made it three wins in a row over their archrivals Canisius with an 11-4 victory on Sunday afternoon.
 
SYNOPSIS
The Purple Eagles managed to stymie the Golden Griffins attack for the third straight game, holding Canisius to a season-low four goals. Niagara was 18 seconds away from a second-half shutout as the Purple Eagles outscored the Golden Griffins 6-1 in the second frame. 
 
For the second straight game, Canisius scored first for a 1-0 lead 40 seconds into the game. Alina Del Toro tied the game with a woman-down goal five minutes later, and Mackenzie Travis put Niagara in front on a woman-up goal with 16 minutes remaining in the half.
 
A key point of the game occurred with under eight minutes remaining in the first half with Niagara leading 3-2. Michelle Messenger denied Claire Netti from close range at the 7:56 mark. Niagara then proceeded with possession and was fouled in its attacking zone. Lois Garlow scored on the ensuing free position attempt to give Niagara a 4-2 lead with seven minutes left. Garlow added her second 40 seconds later, but Canisius scored the final goal of the half.
 
Garlow completed her hat-trick as she opened the scoring in the second half at the 22:59 mark. Five different goal scorers – Shea Swartwout, Eliza Wild, Breanna Duffy, Lexi Braniecki, and Alexandra Leo – found the back of the net while the defense kept Canisius off the board until 18 seconds remaining.

EAGLE'S EYE ON…

• Lois Garlow recorded a hat-trick for the second straight game.
• Lexi Braniecki scored two goals on four shots on goal.
• Michelle Messenger made a season-high 14 saves and shared game-high honors in ground balls with five.
• Shea Swartwout had three points with two assists and she added to her MAAC-leading goal tally with one goal.
• Alina Del Toro had two points with one goal and one assist.
• Alexandra Leo's seven draw controls were more than the entire Canisius team. She also scored one goal.
• Lauren Paul was second on the team in ground balls with three and had one caused turnover to move three away from tying the program career record.  
• Tania Cunningham and Meghan Howe each had two caused turnovers.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Purple Eagles have won three straight in the series for the first time winning 10 straight to start the series from 1998-2004.
• Niagara held Canisius to its lowest goal tally (4) in the series since March 29, 2004, when Niagara won 8-3.
• The four goals allowed are the fewest since allowing two against St. Bonaventure on February 13, 2019.
• Niagara improved to 4-1 at home this season.
• The Purple Eagles had a season-high 34 shots, including 20 in the second half.
• Niagara had an 11-7 advantage in draw controls

 
UP NEXT

• Niagara heads on the road for a pair of games against Marist on Tuesday, April 20, and Wednesday, April 21.

 
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