Box Score

FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Niagara women’s lacrosse team (0-2; 0-0 MAAC) fell 20-13 to the Sacred Heart Pioneers (1-1; 0-0 NEC) in a hard fought contest Friday afternoon.  

Sacred Heart got on the board first as Alyssa Dorsey made it a 1-0 game a little more than five minutes into the game.  The Purple Eagles responded 12 seconds later however as sophomore midfielder Paige Matecki,  recorded her first goal of the season, with an assist coming off a pass from Carrie-Jo Farrugia.  

The Pioneers came roaring back with an 8-1 run as the half went on, making it a 9-2 game with less than 10 minutes to play. Senior attacker Lauren Bowen  and junior Fran Pollastro stopped that streak with two quick goals. 

After Kelsey Russo netted another goal for the Pioneers, Niagara added two more goals from Farrugia and Pollastro before the halftime whistle, leaving an 10-6 advantage for Sacred Heart at the break.  

After the intermission, the Pioneers netted the game’s next two goals to extend its margin to six.  The Purple Eagles gained some momentum with back-to-back goals from Matecki and freshman attacker Courtney Pierce, but Sacred Heart’s Kate Kmiotek began the Pioneers’ 6-2 run.  

With about two minutes remaining in the game, Niagara scored three straight goals from Emily French, Maria Battista and Bowen, but it was not enough to battle back.  

French recorded a hat-trick in the loss, while Farrugia had a career day with two goals, two assists and four points to help keep the Purple Eagles within striking distance the entire game.  Matecki, Bowen and Pollastro each scored twice.

The Purple Eagles return to action next Wednesday, March 7 with their home opener against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, a game slated for 7 p.m.