NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – The Niagara women's soccer team played to a nil-nil draw against Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius Wednesday night in MAAC women's soccer action from Niagara Field. Sophomore keeper,
Felicia Grufman made five saves en route to the clean sheet.
Game Recap
First Half
• Niagara took the first two shots of the contest, both off the foot of
Emma Bough. The junior put the game's first shot on goal in the 14th minute.
•
Lauren DiPietro and Emily Hähnel also put shots on net in the first 20 minutes of action.
• Grufman made her first save of the contest in the 28th minute as she dove to her left to stop the shot from Tiani Fonoti.
• Grufman would contend with a pair of shots in the 37th and 38th minute, keeping both out of the back of the net.
• Hähnel would send a ball toward the far post where she found the head of
Maia MacLean who nearly gave the Purple Eagles a 1-0 advantage but the header went wide of the net.
Second Half
•
Ida Miceli tested the newly entered Canisius keeper in the 49th minute of play, but Jessica Jones was there for her first save.
• Hähnel and
Djeynaba Thiam would register shots in the 58th and 61st minute of action.
• In the 61st minute of play, Grufman would make a leaping save to keep the Golden Griffins off the board.
•
Annie Ibey reentered the contest midway through the half and quickly took a swing toward the net, but her attempt was high of the crossbar.
• Grufman would make her final two saves of the contest in the 76th and 82nd minute, keeping the Golden Griffins scoreless.
Niagara Notes
• The Purple and White are now 24-15-6 all-time against the Blue and Gold.
• Hähnel led Niagara with three shots, while Bough, Miceli and MacLean recorded the three shots on goal for the Purple Eagles.
• Grufman's five saves matched her season-high.
• The clean sheet is Grufman's third of the season.
Up Next
• Niagara will travel to Jersey City for a contest with Saint Peter's on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Stay connected with Niagara Women's Soccer on Twitter and Instagram. Follow Niagara Athletics all year long on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and purpleeagles.com.
