Pat Murray
Lockport, NY — The fairy tale season for the Niagara University women’s soccer team came to an end Monday, but perhaps it’s fitting that the Purple Eagles bowed to a Cinderella team at a Disney venue.
The second-seeded Purple Eagles fell to the fifth-seeded Fairfield Stags by a 2-1 score in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship game, as Fairfield became the lowest-seeded team to ever win the MAAC soccer title.
It was a disappointing end to a great season for Niagara (16-3-2). The Purple Eagles dominated most of Monday’s contest, but couldn’t make the most of their chances. Meanwhile, the Cinderella Stags are going to the Big Dance known as the NCAA Tournament not because of a magic pumpkin but because of a magical soccer ball.
That magical ball off the foot of Fairfield’s Ahna Johnson somehow found its way past Niagara goalkeeper Katy Owings from a long way off just minutes after it refused to enter the Fairfield goal despite four NU chances from less than two feet away.
“We’re obviously disappointed, but we had a great season,” said Niagara coach Peter Veltri.
“We played hard, but they just played harder and capitalized on our mistakes today.”
Sure, it was a disappointing way for the NU season to come to an end. But it doesn’t take away from a great season. The Purple Eagles set a team record for wins in a season. They had the coach of the year and the rookie of the year. They have numerous players returning, including their top two scorers in Brittany Bisnott and Stephanie Gartley. The Purple Eagles are going to be a force to reckon with next season.
And all hope for the fall is not lost on Monteagle Ridge. The NU men’s soccer and women’s volleyball teams still have a good shot at qualifying for their MAAC tournaments.
Hockey season is under way and basketball season is just around the corner.
Last year was a tremendous year at Niagara as the men’s basketball and women’s tennis teams went to NCAA tournaments. There’s no reason that NU can’t send more teams this year.
Contact Pat Murray at murrayp@gnnewspaper.com.
