Niagara struck early, creating chances quickly. Courtney Betts took the first shot of the game in the fifth minute. Bachmann took the next shot in the 12th minute and Betts took another shot in the 13th minute. Bachmann put the Purple Eagles on the board in the 20th minute. Ortiz received the ball with her back towards goal inside the box and fought off a defender before passing it back to the top of the box to Bachmann who shot it to the far post, sneaking the ball inside the low corner.
Ortiz gave the Purple Eagles a 2-0 lead in the 22nd minute. Bachmann lobbed a through ball to beat the back line, giving Ortiz the chance to chip the goalie.
Quinnipiac’s best chance of the game came late in the first half on a direct free kick that was saved by goalkeeper Samuels when she made a last-gasp, diving effort to stop the ball. The first ten minutes of the second half was a constant momentum battle for the two sides. Niagara put the game away for good when they struck in the 59th minute; Bachmann crossed the ball to Thorne from the right side and Thorne took an open header inside the box for the score. Niagara maintained dominance in the game after their third goal which allowed them to cruise to the final whistle with a convincing victory over the MAAC’s top-scoring offense.
The Purple Eagles take on cross-town rival Canisius on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The match will airlive on ESPN3. Following Canisius, Niagara hosts Rider on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
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