TEMPE, ARIZ. – The Niagara University women's lacrosse program opened the 2024 season with a 13-9 win over UC Davis Friday afternoon in a neutral site non-conference matchup in Tempe, Ariz.
 
Three Purple Eagles recorded a multi-goal game, led by Lexi Braniecki with five and Andra Savage with four, as well as a team-best two assists. Lois Garlow scored twice and Riley Latray and Rachel Crane each added a goal in the win. Goalie Jordan Roy made 10 saves on 19 shots.
 
Alannah Scott led UC Davis with three goals while Catie McCauley and Cami Johnson each scored twice.
 
How it Happened
It took Niagara less than 30-seconds to record its first goal of the season as Savage scored her first of three.
 
UC Davis would score the next three goals to take a 3-1 lead over Niagara with 5:20 remaining in the opening quarter, but Niagara would respond with Braniecki and Garlow to even the score at 3-3 at the end of the opening stanza.
 
The Purple and White would take a two-goal lead, 5-3, with goals from Garlow and R. Crane with 13:08 to play in the first half.
 
After a goal from UC Davis, Niagara would score twice more, including Savage's second of the half, to take a three-goal lead, 7-4, into the break.
 
The Aggies trimmed the Niagara lead to one, 7-6, with a pair of goals to start the third quarter, but NU responded with back-to-back goals, including a woman-up goal from Braniecki and Savage's third goal of the contest, giving the Purple Eagles a 9-6 lead.
 
The Purple Eagles would take a 10-7 lead into the final 15-minutes of action before getting their largest lead of the game, 11-7, at the 14:04 mark of the period when Braniecki found the back of the net for the fourth time.
 
Braniecki would score Niagara's 12th tally of the game with 6:14 on the clock and Latray would get her first marker of the season to seal the 13-9 win for the Purple and White.
 
Inside the Box Score
• Niagara outshot UC Davis, 33-24, including a total of 23 shots on goal to the Aggies 19.
• The Purple Eagles forced 12 turnovers, including a team-high three from Sydney Huhtala.
• Niagara finished the game a perfect 18-for-18 on clear attempts.
• UC Davis had the advantage on the draw, 15-10. Savage and Crane led the Purple Eagles with four draw controls apiece.
 
Niagara Notes
• Friday marked the first-ever meeting between Niagara and UC Davis.
• Niagara has now won its season opener for the third consecutive season.
• Roy made double-digit saves for the third time in her career and first time since making 12 saves at Marquette on March 16, 2023.
• Braniecki recorded her seventh career game with at least five goals and first since April 20, 2023 at Mount St. Mary's.
• Huhtala notched her eighth career game with three or more caused turnovers.
 
Up Next
Niagara will remain in Tempe to take on Arizona State on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 11:30 a.m. EST. The game will air on the PAC-12 Network.
 
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