Niagara women’s soccer blanks St. Francis, remains unbeaten at home

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Looking to earn a three-game home winning streak to open its home schedule, the Niagara Purple Eagles recorded a 2-0 victory over the St. Francis Red Flash on Thursday night.

Synopsis
The Purple Eagles struck first with a well-timed goal in the 26^th minute and were able to keep that lead from that point going forward. While the Red Flash had their share of scoring opportunities, Sabrina Locas performed admirably between the posts and Niagara added another goal late to earn another win at Niagara Field.
 
Moments

• Selena Mangoni played a cross in the 26^th minute off a free kick and Annie Ibey delivered a header past the keeper to give Niagara an early 1-0 lead.
• In the 39^th minute, Amelia Gulley ripped a 30-yard shot that sailed just over the crossbar.  
• Coming out of the half, the Red Flash nearly got themselves on the scoreboard in the 51^stminute when Mariana Jaleca’s long range shot hit the post.
• In the 55^th minute, Hailey Bicknell ripped a shot that could have doubled the Niagara lead, but was saved by the St. Francis goalkeeper. In the same minute, the Red Flash’s Alyssa McGhee delivered a quick shot that Sabrina Locas made a critical save on to keep the Red Flash down a goal.
• Niagara doubled its lead in the 73^rd minute when Kelsey Araujo finished her solo run with a strike far post to beat the keeper.

 
Eagle’s Eye On…

• Annie Ibey’s goal in the first half marked her team-leading third of the season. Ibey, who played 58 minutes Thursday night, also leads the team in points with eight (three goals, two assists).
• Mangoni was in the game for 68 minutes and earned her first assist of the season on the goal by Ibey, her first assist as a Purple Eagle.
• Araujo, who also played 68 minutes against the Red Flash, recorded her second goal of the young season. She also has now five points in the early campaign for the Purple Eagles (two goals, one assist).
• Locas faced 10 shots over the course of the evening, and saved all four shots on goal she encountered to earn her second shutout of the season.

 
Inside The Numbers

• With the shutout, Sabrina Locas earned her second shutout of the season, with the previous performance coming against Cleveland State on Aug. 23, another 2-0 contest. Locas now has four career shutouts dating back to last season, all of which have come at Niagara Field.
• The Purple Eagles edged the Red Flash in shots, 17-10, and in shots per goal, 5-4.
• The victory marks the first time in over two decades that the Purple Eagles open their first three home games with a 3-0-0 mark.

 
Coach’s Corner

• “I thought we were pretty dominate tonight. We created good chances and we really didn’t give up many opportunities.  Over the past few weeks our confidence has really grown and our play has improved, and with conference games around the corner the timing couldn’t be better.” – head coach Peter Veltri

Up Next

• Niagara travels to battle Big 4 foe St. Bonaventure on Sunday, Sept. 9, with play scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m.