NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. — The Niagara women’s lacrosse team used a complete effort at both ends of the field to defeat the Monmouth Hawks on the road, 18-10, on Saturday. The win keeps them just a half game behind Canisius for the top overall seed in the MAAC standings.
Game Summary
Final Score: Niagara Purple Eagles 18, Monmouth Hawks 10
Offensive Leaders: Rachel MacCheyne (6 G, 2 A, 10 SH), Caroline Crump (3 G, 2 A, 10 SH), Shea Swartwout (3 G, 1 A)
Defensive Leaders: Alexandra Higgins (10 DC, 3 GB. 3 CT), Rachel MacCheyne (7 DC)
In Goal: Olivia Schroeder (7 saves)
Records: Niagara (7-7, 4-1 MAAC), Monmouth (5-9, 3-2 MAAC)
Location: Kessler Stadium
Attendance: 430
Game Recap
- The Hawks opened the scoring, going up 2-0 just over three minutes in, but goals from Alexis Morales and Rachel MacCheyne leveled the score minutes later.
- The Purple Eagles took the lead just past the halfway point of the opening half on a Shea Swartwout goal that came with a man up.
- Two quick Monmouth goals put Niagara behind 4-3, but Caroline Crump’s first goal of the contest evened the score for the third time.
- With 6:59 left on the clock, Alexandra Higgins picked up her third ground ball of the game, giving her the 148th pickup of her career and surpassing Kara Martin’s previous record of 147.
- Grace Hunt and Morales scored with less than 2:10 left in the half to give Niagara a 6-4 halftime lead.
- Coming out of the break, Monmouth narrowed the gap to one, but three straight MacCheyne goals began to open up a big lead for the Purple Eagles, who were now up 9-5.
- Another Hawks goal made it 9-6, but consecutive goals from MacCheyne, Mackenzie Molodetz and Samantha Brill opened the lead to 13-6.
- MacCheyne responded to yet another Monmouth goal with her sixth of the game at the 19:51 mark of the second half.
- Two more goals from the Hawks made it 14-9, but Niagara ripped off four more goals courtesy of Jillian Ford, Crump and two by Swartwout to double up the home squad 18-9.
Coach’s Corner
- “Today was our most complete game to date. We played for 60 minutes and finished plays on both ends of the field. It was a great team effort across the board, but we will work to be even better next time out against Marist.” – head coach Wendy Stone
Inside The Numbers
- Niagara’s 18 goals are the most the Purple Eagles have scored in any game this season.
- After holding Siena to 21 total shots on Wednesday – the fewest any opponent had generated all season – the Hawks only mustered 19 shots over the course of today’s game.
- Alexandra Higgins entered today’s game needing three ground ball pickups to pass Kara Martin for most all-time in Niagara history. She tied the mark with her 147th just 5:08 into the game, and passed it with her 148th less than 20 minutes later.
- Rachel MacCheyne continued to pace the Purple Eagles offense by contributing eight points (6 G, 2 A), tied for the most she has produced all season (6 G, 2 A, March 3 at Marquette).
Up Next
- Niagara will travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. to face Marist on Wednesday, April 18. Opening draw is slated for 4 p.m.