The Niagara University Purple Eagles have seen an upswing in the success of their athletic programs this year, at least it seems that way; and this week alone has been no different. It started on Monday, when Niagara University hockey announced the new hire of a head coach in Jason Lammers whose had a history of turning programs around (and holy cow, does Niagara hockey need that now). This upswing, symbolized by the optimistic hire, only continued this weekend.
It started on the softball field with the usual suspects for Niagara. Pitching ace Sierra Bertrand continued her season-long success with a no-hitter versus MAAC rival Quinnipiac University. Bridget Hogan also went on to make program history by breaking the record for most doubles recorded in a season with 16. Niagara went on to sweep Quinnipiac in the doubleheader with scores of 2-0 and 8-6, respectively.
The women’s lacrosse team offense was in full-effect as well with a dominating 16-4 (no that’s not a typo) performance in the first round of the MAAC Championship versus the Monmouth University Hawks. Rachel MacCheyne scored five goals in the first half alone as Niagara’s offense took over. Grace Hunt broke a record in the game that she’d been chasing all season – the most assists in single-season in program history.
Niagara baseball also made some headlines as they took two of three games this weekend versus defending-MAAC champions Fairfield University. It was the performers that you’d expect – Tanner Kirwer, Greg Cullen and Peter Battaglia – that led the way for the Purple Eagles in a potential momentum-shifting series versus the Stags.
On top of these headlines, the track and field team head to their MAAC Championships next weekend on Saturday, the day after lacrosse competes in their semi-final matchup. As finals start to indicate the end of the school year for the rest of Niagara’s University’s student population, it only illustrates the pickup of activity for the athletic programs on Monteagle Ridge.
Niagara Wire 