LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – Dramatically tying the game in the 89th minute, the Niagara University men’s soccer team (2-7-2, 0-0-1) played to a 2-2 draw with Siena College (0-5-4, 0-0-1) Friday at Siena Field.
Down, 2-1, heading into the final two minutes of play, sophomore forward Matt Stedman (Lockport) received a pass from teammate Jeff Densk (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) near the Siena penalty spot. Taking a touch to control the pass, Stedman drove a shot past Saints goalkeeper Patrick Henry to score the equalizing goal with 92 seconds remaining in regulation.
Following Stedman’s goal, the two teams played evenly throughout the two overtime periods, with neither team having a dangerous scoring opportunity.
"We didn’t play very well, but how we tied the game showed a lot of character," Niagara head coach Dermot McGrane said. "That character paid off as we tied the game with very little time remaining."
After a scoreless first half, the Purple Eagles fell behind after a goal by Saints midfielder Thomas Santoro in the 56th minute.
Showing tremendous individual effort on his part, senior midfielder Simon Adair (Oakville, Ont.) tied the game in the 62nd minute. Receiving a pass from junior Mark Spooner (Mickleover, England), Adair flicked the ball over the head of a Saints defender and into the Siena offensive third. Thirty-yards from the Siena goal, Adair controlled the bouncing ball and hit a volley into the top-left corner of the net, scoring his third goal of the season.
Saints midfielder Joe Vitale scored Siena’s second goal of the contest in the 78th minute, leading up to the Stedman game-tying goal.
Shots were in favor of the Saints, 20-6, with Niagara junior goalkeeper Eric Sullivan (Traverse City, Mich.) making five saves. Henry made a save for Siena in the draw.
An anomaly of sorts, 14 yellow card cautions were issued between the two sides, including a yellow card issued to McGrane in the 56th minute. In total, Niagara was yellow-carded eight times against the Saints, a season high.
The Purple Eagles continue Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action Sunday, traveling to Marist for a game at 1 p.m.
