LEWISTON, N.Y. -- Junior Jenny Griffin scored her second goal of the season, however that wouldn't be enough as the Canisius College women's soccer team dropped its first MAAC contest of the year to the Niagara Purple Eagles 2-1 in Lewiston, N.Y. Saturday night. Canisius is now 8-5-0 overall and 2-1-0 in MAAC play in 2010.

"I thought it was our best effort all season," said Canisius head coach Jim Wendling. "We controlled play and were very aggressive offensively. It's obviously not the result we wanted but we are very excited about our performance moving forward."

The Purple Eagles would draw first blood when Adrianna Gallo would fire a shot past senior goalkeeper Lesley Ivinac from just outside the box. Canisius looked to tie the game but Niagara goalkeeper Ashleigh Bowers made a terrific save on a free kick taken by senior Laura Ellis midway through the first half to keep the score at 1-0. Bowers would be busy through the first stanza as Canisius fired nine shots toward the Niagara net with Bowers making three saves. Despite the score, the Blue and Gold controlled play throughout first half and outshot the Purple Eagles 9-5 at halftime.

The Griffs would break through in the 58th minute when Griffin booted an Ellis rebound past Bowers to knot the game at 1-1. Canisius and Niagara would exchange scoring chances until Erin Baker attempted a cross pass which deflected off a Canisius defender and into to the net for the go-ahead goal. Canisius would not be able to find the equalizer and the Griffs would fall to the Purple Eagles 2-1.

Ivinac started the game for the Blue and Gold and recorded four shots allowing two goals on the night. Kelly Reinwald while not able to find the back of the net, led the team in shots with eight while Griffin has now scored in two consecutive games as she recorded her second tally of the season.

The Griffs will continue their MAAC schedule Friday, Oct. 15, when the team plays host to nationally-ranked Siena at the Demske Sports Complex. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Game Notes: With the loss, Niagara takes the first two points in the Battle of the Bridge series for 2010-11... The Battle of the Bridge is an all-sport competition between Canisius and Niagara... Kelly Reinwald's consecutive point streak was snapped at eight-straight games, a program record she now shares with Canisius Hall of Famer Sheila Fassel who accomplished the feat in 1987... The Griffs continue to be a strong second half team as the Blue and Gold have scored 22 of the team's 24 goals in the second half or overtime.