LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Women's Soccer erupted for a season-high three goals – all of which came within the first 15 minutes – to thwart Niagara 3-0 on Hickey Field for the Saints first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory of the season.
Siena (4-2-4, 1-1-1) came out firing – peppering the Niagara goal (3-3-1, 0-2-1) with 13 first half shots – and wasted almost no time in making the Purple Eagles pay.
Maya Costa opened the scoring just 55 seconds in as the junior registered her third career goal, two of which have now come on Hickey Field against Niagara.
Cate Flanagan crossed to
Iona Snape whose initial shot was saved before Costa crushed home the rebound.
Flanagan then picked up her conference-leading sixth assist already this season in the ninth minute, serving
Briana Neary who buried her third of the year to stake the Saints to a two-goal cushion less than nine minutes in.
Catherine Rogers capped the onslaught in the 15
th minute, drawing a penalty kick and then finishing for her third score, including her second free kick tally during a perfect 2-0 week.
Cate Burns made all four of her saves in the second half to earn the clean sheet as the Saints blanked a potent Purple Eagles offense which entered play ranked second in the MAAC in scoring (2.17).
Overall, Siena held a 19-9 advantage in shots and an 8-2 margin in corners.
Julia Poissant made five of her six saves during a busy first half in goal for Niagara. Caitlyn Gratton, who entered play ranked tied for second nationally in goals per game, was limited to just two shots (one on target).
The Saints will try to make it three in a row when they host Merrimack Wednesday at 4 p.m.
