NIAGARA UNIV. — The Purple Eagles men’s soccer team had a number of scoring chances early against the Saint Francis Red Flash, but could not find a goal. A Saint Francis tally in the 30th minute sent Niagara to a 1-0 loss Sunday afternoon at Niagara Field.
Niagara had two chances foiled in the opening eight minutes of play. Konrad Zydowicz had a header opportunity go wide to the right at the five-minute mark. On a corner kick two minutes later, Hector Solorio Villalpando sent a long header to the left of the goal, but the chance was turned away. Mackenzie Roach found a shot in the 15th minute, streaking around the Saint Francis defense and beating keeper Marcus Rojas, but touched the ball narrowly too far to the left, catching the post as the Red Flash cleared the chance away.
In the 30th minute, it was Saint Francis who took the 1-0 lead. Mario Mastrangelo stole a loose ball from the grasp of Joel Gerberich to the left of the goal box and passed to Nicco Mastrangelo about three yards out. A Niagara defender got a piece of the shot, but not enough to turn it away from the goal. Gerberich closed the first half with three saves in total as the Red Flash put two more shots on goal in the 15 minutes following Mastrangelo’s score.
Saint Francis held possession for most of the second half, outshooting Niagara 6-2 and keeping a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks. Gerberich made two more saves, bringing his total to five for the match. Niagara’s best chance of the second half came in the 66th minute. Bautista Pedezert found space in the middle of the field and launched a rising shot from 25 yards out to the upper right corner of the goal, but the shot went over the net.
Despite the loss, NU Head Coach Bill Boyle said, “We played the way we needed to and dictated the flow of the game. On most days, that will result in a win.”
The Purple Eagles complete their three-game home stand at 7 p.m. Thursday when they host the University at Buffalo Bulls. Buffalo currently has possession of the Big 4 Shield, which Niagara can take control of with a win.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT
