NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Freshman forward Annie Ibeynetted her second brace of the season and goalkeeper Shania van Nuland made several key saves as the Purple Eagles defeated the Rider Broncs, 2-1, in the MAAC Tournament First Round on Sunday.
SYNOPSIS
The Purple Eagles played one of their most complete games of the season. Niagara was efficient in front of goal, dominated possession, and made key saves while smothering the Broncs attack all game. Niagara scored 10 minutes into the game and added another at the 29th minute with both coming from freshman striker Annie Ibey. However, the Broncs scored with 15 minutes left to add late drama to the contest. Shania van Nuland made a few significant saves in the final 10 minutes, including denying a great scoring chance for Rider in the 82nd minute, to help Niagara advance to the semifinals.
MOMENTS
- Niagara took a deserved lead in the 10th minute. Kelsey Araujo made a run and cut inside the box to unleash a shot on her left foot. The effort was blocked, but Annie Ibey kept her concentration and struck a volley that landed in the back on the net.
- NU made it 2-0 in the 29th minute. Good ball movement by Araujo and Veda Hensel, who slid her pass to Ibey in the box and she coolly beat the keeper for her 10th goal of the season.
- The Purple Eagles started the second half with a 2-0 lead. Rider had a scoring chance two minutes into the second half, but Hadley Bucken was there to block the shot that was heading to the open net.
- Hailey Bicknell nearly made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute when she was on the end of a cross into the box but her shot sailed high.
- In the 61st minute, van Nuland made a fingertip save to push the ball over the cross bar for a corner.
- Araujo had a decent effort in the 69th minute and Amelia Gulley forced a save which led to a corner kick in the 70th minute.
- The Broncs got on the board against the run of play in the 76th minute, taking advantage of a turnover in the back as Rider’s Kourtney Cunningham slotted home Rider’s first goal.
- Two minutes later, Araujo had another shot towards goal that wide.
- Rider had a couple of goal scoring chances in the last 10 minutes. In the 80th minute, a deflected shot was cleared off the line by Selena Mangoni and into the hands of van Nuland. The keeper from the Netherlands made a crucial save in the 82nd minute when she came off the line to deny Rider’s Niamh Cashin on a one-on-one. Van Nuland made another save in the 88th minute from a looping header.
EAGLE’S EYE ON…
- Annie Ibey scored two goals in a goal for the second time this season. The first being against Cleveland State on August 23 which were her first two collegiate goals. She leads the Purple Eagles and is now second in the MAAC in goals (10) and points (23).
- Kelsey Araujo had her first two assist-game in her career.
- Veda Hensel added an assist to have three on the season.
- Shania van Nuland made five saves to improve to 6-1-1- on the season.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Niagara won its first MAAC Tournament game in regulation since 2014.
- Annie Ibey’s 10 goals are the fourth most by a Purple Eagle freshman since 2000.
- The Purple Eagles have won their most games since 2014 (11).
- Niagara concludes its home schedule with an 8-1-0 record for its best mark since 2014 (9-1-1).
UP NEXT
- The Purple Eagles will play at No. 1 Monmouth in the MAAC Semifinals on Thursday, November 1. Time is TBD.
