Niagara women’s soccer edged by Florida Atlantic, 3-2

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

BOCA RATON, F.L. — The Niagara Purple Eagles struck first, but eventually dropped a 3-2 decision to the Florida Atlantic Owls on Sunday afternoon to wrap up their two-game Florida trip.
 
SYNOPSIS  
The Purple Eagles scored six minutes into the game and kept their lead until Florida Atlantic tied the game in the 36^th minute. It was the first of three unanswered goals by the home team. Niagara grabbed one back late in the game, but ran out of time in a contest that was delayed a half hour due to inclement weather.
 
MOMENTS

• Niagara opened the scoring with a goal in the sixth minute. Reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week Annie Ibey played a cross into the box and Hailey Bicknell slid her shot past the keeper.
• Niagara managed its 1-0 lead until the 36^th minute when FAU’s Velta Fauw equalized for the Owls with a free kick strike.
• There was a flurry of action in the 65^th minute. Ibey had her shot sail wide, and then FAU scored 30 seconds later on a goal.
• FAU made it 3-1 on a goal by Tiril Haga in the 82^nd minute.
• Two minutes later, the Purple Eagles cut the lead to 3-2. Ibey had her shot save, but Kelsey Araujo was there to open her account for the season.

 
EAGLE’S EYE ON…

• Hailey Bicknell scored her second goal of the season. She is tied with Annie Ibey, who assisted the goal, for the team-lead.  
• Kelsey Araujo, who was second on the team in goals (4) last season, collected her first goal of the season.  
• Annie Ibey registered her second assist on the season. She leads the Purple Eagles in points (6) and tied for the lead in goals and assists.  

COACH’S CORNER

• “This was another great showing by us today. We led for a long stretch, but just couldn’t hold on. The team is working extremely hard and growing each game so the wins will come.  The last two games was about testing us both mentally and physically, and the team did a fantastic job. I extremely proud of their performance.” – head coach Peter Veltri 
   

UP NEXT

• The Purple Eagles are back to host St. Francis (Pa.) on Thursday, September 6 at 7 p.m.