NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles and Canisius Golden Griffins squared off in their annual Battle of the Bridge match in the regular-season finale for both teams. Although Canisius outshot Niagara heavily in the match, Steve Casey turned in a spectacular effort in goal, and the senior-laden Purple Eagles defense prevailed in a 0-0 draw Wednesday evening at Niagara Field.
 
Casey made a season-high eight saves in goal for his fifth shutout of the season. He ends the 2016 season on a shutout streak spanning 224:04, stretching back to the second half of Niagara's match at Marist on Oct. 26.
 
Prior to the game, Niagara honored three players on Senior Night, midfielder Fabrizio Chiari and backs Shiquan Lowe and Konrad Zydowicz, for their contributions to the program.
 
Game Summary

• Final Score: Niagara 0, Canisius 0 (2OT)
• Niagara Goal Scorers: n/a
• Niagara Assists: n/a
• In Goal: Steve Casey (4-10-2) – 0 GA, 8 SV
• Records: Niagara (4-11-2, 3-6-1 MAAC), Canisius (8-7-3, 4-3-3 MAAC)
• Location: Niagara Field – Niagara Univ., N.Y.
• Attendance: 231

 
Game Recap

• Niagara controlled the early possession in the rainy match. Saiaz Saenz got two opportunities from 20 yards out early, including the first shot of the night 27 seconds in, but neither shot found the goal.
• Senior Konrad Zydowicz had both of Niagara's shots on goal in the first half; his best chance came on a free kick opportunity, where his low shot aimed just inside the right post was scooped up by Canisius goalkeeper Marco Trivellato.
• In the 29th minute, Canisius' Melvin Blair beat two Niagara defenders running straight down the middle of the field. He ripped a shot towards the right post, but Niagara's Steve Casey knocked the chance away.
• Canisius was close on another chance in the final minute of the first half as Thomas Teupen headed a shot wide and to the left of the Niagara goal.
• Niagara was outshot 18-1 in the second half, but Casey turned in an astounding effort with seven saves to keep the Golden Griffins off the board.
• Canisius' best chance of the half came in the 56th minute when Hakeem Milson wired a crossing pass that bent inside towards the goal, but Casey lunged to his right side and swiped the save.
• In the 69th minute, Mackenzie Roach beat the Canisius defense to the outside along the right wing and fed a crossing pass in to Saiaz Saenz. Saenz got a head on the ball to direct a shot low, but Trivellato made the save.
• In the overtime period, Canisius held a 3-2 advantage in shots, but the lone shot on goal came from the Purple Eagles, a 35-yarder from Fabrizio Chiari that was handled by Trivellato as time expired in the first 10-minute overtime.

 
Coach's Corner

• Head coach Bill Boyle: "For the first 25 or 30 minutes of this game, our guys executed the game plan we came in with well. Canisius pushed us needing to get a result, and I'm proud of our guys for holding them off and getting a point."

 
Inside the Numbers

• Steve Casey's eight saves in Wednesday's match were a season-high. His career high for saves in a match is 11, set on Nov. 5, 2014 in another scoreless draw against the Golden Griffins.
• Casey's previous high for saves in a game this season was six, set in a 2-0 loss at Rider on Oct. 1. He ends the 2016 season with a 1.31 goals-against average and .744 save percentage.
• The clean sheet against Canisius was Casey's fifth of the season and his eighth in two seasons as a Purple Eagle.
• On the game, Canisius held a 28-8 advantage in shots and a 13-2 advantage in corner kicks. Canisius also had two offsides, while Niagara had none.
• Senior midfielder Fabrizio Chiari and senior backs Shiquan Lowe and Konrad Zydowicz played the full 110 minutes for the Purple Eagles. Niagara held Canisius to a .286 shots on goal percentage, while Niagara put half of their shots on goal.

 
2016 Season In Review

• The Purple Eagles close the 2016 season at 4-11-2, with a conference record of 3-6-1.
• With 10 points in MAAC play, Niagara finishes ninth in the conference after being picked 11th in the Coaches' Preseason Poll.

 
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