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Niagara University Athletics

Izzy Schmidt @ UB on 8/12
Niagara University
2
Merrimack MER (2-10-5, 0-7-4)
2
Niagara NIA (11-3-1, 8-2-1)
Merrimack MER
(2-10-5, 0-7-4)
2
Final
2
Niagara NIA
(11-3-1, 8-2-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Merrimack MER 1 1 2
Niagara NIA 0 2 2

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Women's Soccer Draws with Merrimack

Niagara University, N.Y. — Izzy Schmidt and Caitlyn Gratton scored 54 seconds apart in the final three minutes to give Niagara a 2-2 draw with Merrimack at Niagara Field in Niagara University, N.Y.

Niagara goes to 11-3-, 8-2-1 in Metro play, while Merrimack goes to 2-10-5, 0-7-4 in conference action.

Merrimack struck first in the fourth minute. The Warriors earned corner kicks in the first and second minutes, and Lilly Cook scored off the pressure in the 3:11 mark for a 1-0 lead.

Niagara answered with sustained pressure but couldn't find the net. The Purple Eagles outshot Merrimack 8-4 in the half and put six shots on goal, but Warriors goalkeeper Addison Israel saved all six.

Mahelie Barbeau got Niagara's first shot on goal in the ninth minute. Caitlin Parker followed with a save-forcing shot in the 10th, and Gratton tested Israel in the 13th. Naiya Johnston hit the crossbar in the 14th minute, the closest Niagara came in the half.

Merrimack had the best chance to double its lead when Sophia Keogh forced Niagara goalkeeper Julia Poissant into a save in the 16th minute. It was the only shot Poissant faced in the half that was on target. Caitlyn Grady sent a shot over the bar in the 20th.

Niagara's pressure picked up again midway through the half. Parker and Barbeau each forced Israel into saves in the 25th and 26th minutes, with a corner kick in between, and Gratton had another shot saved in the 28th. Merrimack still led 1-0 at the break.

The Warriors extended their lead in the 55th minute on their only shot of the half. Isabella Keogh scored off assists from Kylie Fuller and Shea MacDougall to make it 2-0. Gratton responded almost immediately, with a shot saved by Israel in the 55th minute.

Niagara dominated the rest of the half, outshooting Merrimack 10-1, but the Warriors held firm for a long stretch. Barbeau sent an attempt over the bar in the 63rd minute, and Gratton did the same in the 67th. Schmidt, who entered in the 59th minute, forced a save in the 73rd. Parker's shot in the 78th sailed over the bar, and Johnston also missed the target in the 81st.

Niagara earned corner kicks in the 80th and 83rd minutes, and Barbeau's attempt in the 82nd was saved. Sarah Lucas' shot in the 84th minute went over the bar. Cook picked up a yellow card for Merrimack in the 75th minute.

The Purple Eagles finally broke through in the 87th minute. Gratton set up Schmidt, whose goal cut the deficit to 2-1. Less than a minute later, in the 88th minute, Gratton converted a penalty kick to tie the game at 2-2.
 
 

Niagara Notes
• Niagara goes to 1-1-1 all-time against Merrimack
• Gratton goes to tied for sixth all-time in single-season goals in Niagara program history
• Gratton also moves to sole position, tied for ninth in single-season points with 30
• Schmidt recorded her second goal of the season
• Seven different Purple Eagles played the full 90

Up Next
Niagara women's soccer will close out the regular season as they travel to Lawrenceville, NJ to take on Rider on Saturday, October 31 for a 1 p.m. start
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