Niagara Univ., N.Y. (September 7, 2024)—Mount St. Mary's opened Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with a 3-0 setback at Niagara today at Niagara Field.  The Mountaineers fall to 3-3-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the MAAC.   

Today's game was a rematch of last year's MAAC Quarterfinal game won by the Mount in penalty kicks after the teams played to a 0-0 standstill after 110 minutes of action.  Niagara now holds a 2-1-1 lead in the all-time series.

The game also featured a matchup of the MAAC's top two goalkeepers in save percentage and goals against average in the Mount's Adelaide Paredes and Niagara's Maddie Crosby.  Today, it was Crosby who came away with the better day, making six saves to earn the clean sheet.  Paredes tallied four saves for the Mountaineers.  Both keepers entered today's action with a 0.60 goals against average.

Niagara's leading scorer Isabella Mazzaferro proved to be the difference with two goals and an assist on the day.  She started the scoring in the 37^th minute when she curled a corner kick into the far upper corner to give the Purple Eagles a 1-0 advantage.

Mazzaferro set up Niagara's second goal, sending a long cross to the far post where Morgan Kulniszewski headed the ball into the net in the 52^nd minute to make it 2-0.  Mazzaferro closed out the scoring in the 60^th minute with her second goal of the day and sixth of the year.

The Mount's Luisangely Navas had a solid scoring chance stopped by Crosby in the 74^th minute.  In the opening half, Sydoney Clarke, Erin Antone and Navas each had shots on goal denied by the Niagara keeper.

Overall, Niagara held a 17-to-14 edge in shots, including an 8-to-6 margin in shots on goal.  The Purple Eagles generated a 9-to-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Mount St. Mary's returns to the pitch next Saturday with a 1:00 p.m. MAAC match at Siena.