ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — The St. Bonaventure women's soccer team and first-year head coach Donny George secured their first win of the season on Thursday night at Marra Athletics Complex, 2-1, over visiting Niagara in front of a large crowd. Junior Sydney Hayward's second half goal proved to be the difference in the Bonnies victory.
 
Despite a scoreless deadlock in the opening half, the Bonnies came out hot by recording three shots in the first five minutes. Sophomores Olivia Allen and Ami Komori were creating opportunities for Bona's to strike with Komori taking three shots and Allen taking two. 
 
St. Bonaventure (1-1-3) held the Purple Eagles (1-4) to just one shot on goal before the break. The Brown and White recorded four. 
 
Ten minutes into the second period, Allen was taken down as she made a run toward goal leading to a penalty kick. Allen took advantage of the PK opportunity and buried it past the Niagara keeper who stayed on her feet. 
 
Following the Bona's goal things became chippy between the rival teams with Niagara's Emily Hähnel and Bonaventure's Sydney Hayward receiving yellow cards. SBU's Christine Napoli and Niagara's Caitlyn Grady also receiving yellow cards. 
 
In the 63^rd minute, Niagara created chaos in the box sneaking the equalizer past Chiara Gottinger who made a great save just minutes before. 
 
Thirteen minutes later, St. Bonaventure took the lead back as Hayward finished an arching free kick from Hannah Walker with a header that slipped between three Niagara defenders.
 
Despite Niagara having multiple chances at goal in the final minutes, Gottinger stood tall in net for the Bonnies. Gottinger finished with four saves with her first of the game being the 300^th of her career. 
 
Bonaventure out shot NU 14-11. 
 
The Bonnies are back in action on Sunday at Robert Morris. 

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