NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – Amanda Cripps recorded her first career hat trick as Niagara (5-9-2, 4-3-2 MAAC) upended The Rider Broncs (6-7-2, 4-4-1 MAAC) 4-0 in MAAC women's soccer action from Niagara Field. Emily Hähnel also scored for Niagara as two of the Purple Eagle Seniors notched a goal on Senior Day.
 
How it Happened
It would only take Niagara an eight-minute span in the first half of play to give the game its eventual final score. Cripps opened the flood gates for NU after depositing a pass from Emma Bough into the back of the net in the 22nd minute.
 
In the 24th minute, Hähnel would be awarded a penalty kick after being fouled by the Rider goalie inside the 18-yard box. The fifth-year striker would easily score the brace for the Purple and White, her third PK goal of the season.
 
Hähnel and Cripps would team up for Niagara's third goal of the game in the 29th minute as Cripps passed the ball to Hähnel, who passed it back to Cripps for the tally, putting NU up by three.
 
Cripps would complete the hattrick in the 30th minute, giving the game its 4-0 final score.
 
Agnes Stenlund recorded her third clean sheet of the season, making five stops, including two in the second half, keeping any attempt of a comeback out of reach for the Broncs.
 
Niagara Notes
• Niagara moves to 17-10-2 all-time against Rider, including four-straight wins over the Broncs dating back to 2018.
• After scoring just seven goals in its first 12 games, the Purple Eagle offense has struck for 13 tallies in the last four contests.
• Cripps came into the contest with three goals on the season and now has a team-best six. The Bradford, Ontario native now has 21 career goals, including nine as a Purple Eagle.
• Cripps' six points is the most by a Purple Eagle this season.
• Bough recorded her second assist of the season on the opening goal, the four-year vet now has 16 in her career.
• Stenlund has played in six games this season, allowing six goals and stopping 36 shots for a 0.86 save percentage. The Finspang, Sweden keeper now has six clean sheets in her career.
 
Up Next
Niagara will travel to downtown Buffalo to take on Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius Wednesday night. Opening kickoff between the Purple Eagles and Golden Griffins is set for 7 p.m.
 
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