BUFFALO, NY – Niagara (5-10-2, 4-4-2 MAAC) saw its three-game win streak come to an end on Wednesday night as Canisius (9-3-5, 6-2-2) defeated the Purple Eagles 2-1 in MAAC women's soccer action at the Demske Sports Complex. Senior
Amanda Cripps tallied the lone goal for NU, her seventh of the season.
Despite the loss, Niagara will advance to the MAAC postseason as the No. 5 seed.
How it Happened
Canisius would jump out to a 1-0 lead after a corner led to a goal by Skylar Cornell in the 20th minute for the Golden Griffins. Niagara would respond fairly quickly as a free kick in the 26th minute led to an
Amanda Cripps goal, her fourth in two games and seventh of the season, tying the game at one.
With about five minutes to go in the first half the Golden Griffins would find the back of the net as Emma Oliphant scored the eventual game-winner for Canisius, making it a 2-1 game.
Canisius would look to build its lead to start the second half as the Griffs took five shots in the first 10 minutes of the second half, two of which were saved by
Agnes Stenlund.
Emma Bough would take the first two shots of the half for NU, both of which failed to go on target. Fifth-year midfielder Emily Hahnel would record Niagara's first shot on goal in the 77th minute, but the attempt was stopped by the Canisius goalie Jessica Jones, keeping it a 2-1 game in favor of the home team.
Katie Diem and Cripps would also record shots on goal for Niagara in the second half, but the equalizer could not be found by either Purple Eagle.
Bough would take Niagara's final shot of the game but her attempt went high over the crossbar.
Stenlund made six saves in the second half to keep NU within a goal. The sophomore finished with 10 saves.
Niagara Notes
• Niagara moves to 28-20-6 all-time against Canisius as Wednesday snapped a seven-game unbeaten streak over the Golden Griffins.
• Stenlunds 10 saves is a season-high for the sophomore out of Finspang, Sweden.
• Cripps finishes the regular season with a team-best seven goals.
• NU's four shots on goal is the third fewest by the Purple Eagles in a game this season.
Up Next
Niagara earns a spot in the MAAC Women's Soccer Championship for the seventh-straight season and will travel to Emmitsburg, Md., for a MAAC Quarterfinal match against Mount St. Mary's.
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