NIAGARA UNIV — The Niagara women’s soccer team battled with Binghamton in its home opener on Sunday, but was edged by the Bearcats, 1-0.
Laura Ortiz took the first shot of the day, and the first of her team-high three shots for Niagara, in the first minute of the game; the shot was saved by Bearcats keeper Katie Hatziyianis. In the first half, Binghamton took two shots in the final minute but both were blocked by the Purple Eagles.
In the 46th minute, Binghamton’s Patty Loonie scored the lone goal of the day; her header narrowly slipped by keeper van Nuland on the left side.
The Purple Eagles created scoring chances late in the game. Ortiz’s shot in the 88th minute beat the keeper, but hit the post. and Tuesday Jordan took the last shot for Niagara in the final minute of the game which went over the bar.
“I’m disappointed with today’s outcome,” said Purple Eagles head coach Peter Veltri. “I thought we dominated the game from start to finish but just couldn’t find the back of the net. We created good chances, but we need to be better at finishing them. Once again, we played well defensively and gave them very little.”
News & Notes
Freshman forward Hailey Bicknell clocked 76 minutes in her first collegiate start.
Goalkeeper van Nuland tied her career-high in saves with four; three of her four saves were in the second half of the match.
Up Next
The Purple Eagles continue their four-game home stand, hosting Robert Morris at 7 p.m. Friday followed by Cleveland State at 1 p.m. Aug. 28.
