Past Student-Athlete of the Week Winners

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - Maria Battista had a solid offensive showing for the Niagara women’s lacrosse team last week, earning nine points in a pair of games to push the team to victories over St. Bonaventure and LIU Brooklyn.

Last Tuesday, the Hamburg, N.Y. native netted a career-high five goals against St. Bonaventure in the 9-7 win over the Bonnies—the program’s first ever win against its Little 3 rival.  With a minute remaining in the contest and the Purps down by a goal, Battista tallied two of the Purple Eagles’ final three tallies to pull out the comeback victory. 

Later that week, Battista was a nuisance for the LIU Brooklyn defense as the junior pocketed four goals en route to the team’s third consecutive win, the first time the Purps have done so since the 2006 season. 

Battista wrapped up the two-game home stand with nine goals on 12 shots on net.  

Battista currently leads the team with 13 goals, adding one assist for 14 points on the season.  She has also picked up eight groundballs and cause three turnovers in eight games.  

The Purple Eagles travel to Pittsburgh on Friday, March 22 to battle the Duquesne Dukes at 6 p.m.