Women's College Soccer
Niagara University 2, Rider University 0
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY-Despite out-shooting the host Purple Eagles 21-9, including 9-3 in shots on goal, the Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game at Niagara Friday night. "We had more of the possession and we played well," said Rider head coach Drayson Hounsome. "We had loads of chances but we didn't take advantage of them. It was a disappointing loss."
Niagara (5-7, 3-0 MAAC) took a 1-0 lead in the 55th minute when a crossing pass went in off of a Rider defender. "We scored an 'own goal' and then we were chasing the game," Hounsome said. "They scored a second goal on a counter attack."
The Purple Eagles scored the insurance goal in the 83rd minute.
Rider (7-4-2, 0-2 MAAC) freshman goalkeeper Danielle Singson (Deer Park, NY/St. Anthony's) made one save.
Rider junior Abi Cottam (Leominster, England/Ludlow) had eight shots, including four shots on goal, more than the entire Niagara team.
"We played a good game," Hounsome said. "We won the 50-50 balls, we played good possession, we created good opportunities. Just the shots would not find the back of the net."
Niagara goalkeeper Gaberielle Wilson made nine saves. "She did make some good saves," Hounsome said, "but there were some shots that we should have scored on and shot right at her."
The Purple Eagles began the season 2-7 before winning their first three MAAC games, the first two over Saint Peter's and Manhattan.
Rider began the season a best-ever 7-2-2 before beginning the MAAC season with a pair of losses.
Rider defeated Niagara 2-1 in Lawrenceville last year, the first win for the Broncs over the Purple Eagles since 2004.
These two teams have now met 15 times since the series began in 1997 with Rider winning five. Rider lost 2-1 at Niagara in 2009 here in Western New York and 3-0 at Rider on Senior Day in 2008.
Niagara was the MAAC runner-up in 2009 and won the 2006 MAAC Championship.
The Broncs stay in Western New York to face Canisius Sunday afternoon. "We just need to find a way to win," Hounsome said. "We're at that point now where it isn't about playing our best soccer, which we did tonight. It is about finding a way to win."
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