NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women’s soccer team hits the road for a pair of non-conference matchups starting Friday, Sept. 21 against St. Bonaventure at 5 p.m.  The Purple Eagles then play Cornell on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m.

Follow All the Action
Live stats for Friday’s contest against St. Bonaventure and Sunday’s afternoon game versus Cornell will be available.  Please click the appropriate link above to keep up with weekend play. 

Purple Eagles 101
The Purple Eagles (4-3-0) enter this weekend on a three-game winning streak with their last victory coming against Robert Morris in the final game of the 2012 NU Fall Classic.   

Niagara has received offensive contributions from across the roster, with freshman midfielder Maria Siegrist-Gabas leading the way with seven points (1-4-7).  Junior defender Danielle Kennedy is tops on the team in goals (2) while five other Purple Eagles have tallied a goal each so far this season.   

Freshman Claire Feiertag has been the go-to keeper for NU, as the rookie has compiled a 0.74 goals-against average and a .872 save percentage in seven games.  To go along with her four wins, she also has three shutouts to her name. 

Scouting St. Bonaventure
St. Bonaventure currently owns a 1-6-1 record, having won its first game of the season last Friday against Binghamton, 1-0.

Forward Abby Maiello, midfielder Brittany Charles and defender Shannon Van Ripper are currently in a three-way tie in goals (1) and points (2). 

Rookie Christina Sarokon has played the most minutes in goal for the Bonnies, making 28 saves for a 1.66 goals-against average and a .8800 save percentage.

All-Time Against the Little 3 Rival
The Bonnies lead the all-time series against the Purple Eagles with a 17-8-1 record.  These two teams last met during the 2011 season during the Big Four Classic, where the Bonnies handed Niagara a 2-0 loss. 

Taking a Look at Cornell
Cornell is still looking for its first win of the 2012 campaign, currently owning a 0-7-0 record.  Seniors Xandra Hompe and Jayann Gabrio are tied for the team-lead in goals (2), while forward Maneesha Chitanvis has also provided offensive contributions. 

The Big Red will likely start junior Tori Christ in goal.  She has a 3.40 goals-against average and a .629 save percentage seven games, with 39 stops to her name.

Big Red vs. Purple Eagles
The all-time series between Niagara and Cornell is currently tied 2-2-0 since the first meeting in 2006, with the last meeting ending in a 2-0 Big Red victory.      

Last Time Out
The Purple Eagles hosted the NU Fall Classic last weekend, coming out with a pair of shutout victories.  Siegrist-Gabas led Niagara offensively, earning three-points with an assist in the win over the Red Flash and a goal against RMU.   

Niagara opened up play against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Friday, handing the Red Flash a 2-0 loss.  Freshman Hayley Besaw and sophomore Catherine Meyer each scored for the Purple Eagles.  On Sunday, Niagara earned its second-straight shutout and its third-straight win after defeating the Colonials, 2-0.  Along with Siegrist-Gabas, Kennedy tallied a goal. 

Feiertag finished the weekend with eight saves.  Senior keeper Amanda Taylor helped in the win over RMU, making four saves in the second half, including three breakaway stops.   

Player of the Week Honors
For the second straight week Niagara had a player recognized by College Sports Madness.  This week Feiertag was named College Sports Madness MAAC Player of the Week after helping the Purple Eagles to a 2-0 record at the NU Fall Classic. 

Feiertag earned her second and third shutouts of the season after a 2-0 win over Saint Francis (Pa.) on Friday and a 2-0 victory against Robert Morris on Sunday.  Against the Red Flash, the Ridgeway, Ont. native made six saves for her second shutout of the season, while making two stops against the Colonials to keep RMU off the board.  

She is currently fifth in the MAAC in save percentage (.872) and goals-against average (0.74).  Her three shutouts ranks her second in the conference. 

Last week, rookie Rachel Garvey was honored by College Sports Madness.

Next In Line
The Purple Eagles return to Monteagle Ridge next week for a two-game homestand.  The conference schedule opens up with a contest against the Siena Saints on Friday, Sept. 28, followed by an afternoon battle with the Marist Red Foxes on Sunday, Sept. 30.       

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