NIAGARA UNIVERSITY — The Niagara women’s soccer team fell to Cleveland State, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon.
Niagara created chances early in the match; in the third minute, Emily Phillips took a shot on a through ball from Laura Ortiz which went wide. Eva Bachmann and Hadley Bucken followed up with two shots in the fifth minute; both were blocked by Cleveland State. In the 21st minute, the Vikings got on the board; Kaila Sargema, assisted by Haleigh Shingary, chipped it in over van Nuland’s head on the right side.
During the second half of the game, play was stalled twice due to lightning.
The Purple Eagles struck early in the second half; Breanne Guevara headed a shot on the goal in the 51st minute of the game, but it was saved by the Vikings’ keeper. Gulley followed up with a shot a little over a minute later, but it went wide.
In the 84th minute, Cleveland State extended its lead on a Toni Dickson free kick from 25 yards out, which sailed into the top right corner of the goal.
“I thought we had some good individual effort today, but we just couldn’t capitalize on our opportunities,” said NU Head Coach Peter Veltri. “Even with all the adversity that we faced with injuries and two weather delays, I felt like we dominate the play.”
The Purple Eagles close out their four-game home stand, hosting Navy at 7 p.m. Friday.
