ALBANY – UAlbany (2-1) scored twice in the first half en route to a 2-0 win over Niagara (0-2-1) Friday night in non-conference soccer action from the state capital. Despite allowing two goals, sophomore keeper Jamie Barry finished with four saves.
How it Happened
The UAlbany Great Danes took a quick 1-0 lead over Niagara as a foul called in the 18-yard box in just the second minute of action led to a penalty kick goal for the Great Danes.
UAlbany would control possession for a majority of the first part of the first half, until in the 25th minute, the Purple Eagles got a breakaway chance as Asher Barnes sped toward the goal and sent a through pass to fellow captain Cameron Roach, whose equalizing effort went high.
Felix Kogler would launch one toward the goal a few moments later, however, the right footed attempt was off target.
A free kick opportunity in the 31st minute was thwarted by goalie Jamie Barry who lept infont of the intended target and punched away the UAlbany threat.
The Great Danes would take a 2-0 lead with a long pass into the box that was headed home past a diving Barry in the 36th minute of action.
Barry would keep UAlbany from taking a 3-0 lead late in the first half when he slapped away the Great Dane chance while falling to the ground, which led to a NU scoring opportunity on the other end of the field, that was untimely called offside.
In the second half, the Great Danes would once again pressure Niagara for a third goal and this time the left post aided Barry to keep the Purple Eagles within two 51-minutes into the contest.
Mick Bastiaenen came to the aid of Barry with a kick save, keeping UAlbany off the board in the 57th minute of play with a quick reaction inside the box.
Barry’s busy night would continue through the 78th minute as he punched another shot away and saw a left footed Great Dane effort go over his head, keeping the score at 2-0.
A free kick in the 83rd minute gave the Purple Eagles their best chance of the second half but the low cross into the box found the head of a Great Dane defender and eventually the hands of the keeper to keep NU off the board.
UAlbany would hold on in the final five minutes en route to a 2-0 win over the Purple and White.
Niagara Notes
• The Purple Eagles fall to 0-3 all-time against the Great Danes.
• Niagara was held without a shot on goal for the first time since Aug. 30, 2019 in a 2-0 loss to Detroit Mercy.
• UAlbany finished with 14 total shots, six of which were on target. The Great Danes also recorded 11 corners, compared to zero for NU.
Up Next
• The Purple Eagles will complete their four-game road swing with a game at Stonehill on Monday, Sep. 4. Opening kickoff between Niagara and Stonehill is set for noon on Labor Day.
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