Niagara women’s soccer shuts down Saint Peter’s

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Annie Ibey and Veda Henseleach registered a goal and Sabrina Locas recorded a shutout Saturday afternoon to help the Niagara Purple Eagles defeat the Saint Peter’s Peacocks, 2-0.
 
SYNOPSIS
The Purple Eagles dominated possession and chances throughout the contest. Niagara outshot Saint Peter’s by a considerable margin in the first period, 16-4, but were unable to score in the opening 45 minutes. As Niagara continued to build pressure on the Saint Peter’s defense, Annie Ibey and Veda Hensel each struck for a pair of goals in the final 15 minutes, giving Niagara a 2-0 win at home.
 
MOMENTS

• Just 35 seconds into the game, Kelsey Araujo had an early scoring opportunity when she was awarded a penalty kick. Araujo made good contact on the ball, but Saint Peter’s goalkeeper Victoria Scarratt was able to corral it.
• The Purple Eagles had several substantial scoring opportunities in the first half.
• In the second minute, Veda Hensel delivered a shot in front of the net, but the ball sailed just a little high and hit the post.
• In the 13^th minute, Hailey Bicknell found Araujo for a header just in front of the net, but the connection was just off as the shot went wide.
• Later, at the 23^rd minute, Araujo hit Annie Ibey in stride in front of the net, but Ibey’s shot sailed high.
• In the 64^th minute, Araujo drove along the right side of the field and delivered a strike that went off the post.
• The Purple Eagles found success in a scoring opportunity in the 77^th minute, when Hailey Bicknell found Annie Ibey in the front of the net, who booted the ball in to give Niagara the lead, 1-0.
• Shortly thereafter in the 82^nd minute, Veda Hensel navigated through traffic at the edge of the box and curled her shot around defenders and inside of the post to give Niagara a 2-0 lead.  

 
EAGLE’S EYE ON…

• Annie Ibey registered her team-leading seventh goal of the season, one of her seven shots for the Purple Eagles on the afternoon.
• Veda Hensel delivered her second goal of the season, who also led the team in shots on goal with four and co-led in shots with eight.
• Kelsey Araujo also recorded eight shots for Niagara, including two shots on goal.
• Sabrina Locas faced six shots and saved the Peacocks’ lone shot on goal en route her fourth shutout of the season.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Annie Ibey’s goal in the second half is her fifth game-winning goal of the season, which leads both the team and the MAAC this season. In addition, Ibey’s goal, her seventh total of the year, currently places her tied for second among the conference leaders.
• Veda Hensel’s eight shots are her new career high, surpassing her previous mark of five she recorded against Robert Morris on Aug. 26.
• The win marks Niagara’s first shutout victory in the team’s last seven games.
• Niagara outshot Saint Peter’s by a 43-6 margin, including an 11-1 margin for shots on goal. The 43 shots are the most in the MAAC this season.
• The Purple Eagles are now 19-1-0 in the last 20 matchups against the Peacocks, and have won the last nine matchups between the two teams.
• Niagara has now won 10 straight home games against Saint Peter’s, and have outscored their opponent by a 30-5 margin in those contests.

 
UP NEXT

• The Purple Eagles travel for their final road game of the regular season on Oct. 17 to take on the defending champion Monmouth Hawks at 3 p.m.

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