Junior Mark Spooner tallied Niagara's lone goal on a penalty kick.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University men’s soccer team (3-12-2, 1-5-1) dropped a close 2-1 men’s soccer game to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference-leading Loyola College (8-5-1, 6-0-0) Friday at Niagara Field.

Trailing 2-1 with 28 minutes left in the game, the Purple Eagles mounted a fierce attack putting four shots on net, including a shot by sophomore Matt Stedman (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) that bounced off the top of the crossbar. But Loyola goalkeeper Justin Chelland made all four saves to preserve the Greyhounds’ undefeated league record.

Loyola scored first in the game when Rade Kokovic converted a penalty kick in the four minute mark. The sophomore beat Niagara goalkeeper Eric Sullivan (Traverse City, Mich.) to the left side.

The Purple Eagles tied the game in the second half when junior Mark Spooner (Mickleover, England) scored his third goal of the season on a penalty kick in the 57th minute. The defender beat Chelland low and to the left.

The Greyhounds got their game-winning goal in the 61st minute when Vinnie Piscopo tallied his fifth goal of the season, beating a diving Sullivan to the right. Brian O’Connor and Kevin Nash picked on the assists on the goal.

Sullivan made one save in the game, and Niagara out-shot Loyola, 15-8.

The Purple Eagles return to action Sunday when they play their final home game of the regular season. Niagara hosts Rider at 1 p.m. at Niagara Field. Admission to the game is free.