ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The Niagara University men’s soccer team (0-5-0) lost to St. Bonaventure University (4-0-1), 2-0, Wednesday at McGraw-Jennings Field.

For the third consecutive game the Purple Eagles outshot their opponent, outshooting the Bonnies, 13-11 in Wednesday’s loss. Unluckily against regionally-ranked St. Bonaventure (National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas No. 3 team in the New York region), deflections off Niagara players near the defensive penalty box cost the Purple Eagles two goals and led to the eventual loss.

Scoreless after the first half, an errant clear by junior defender Paul VandenBoomen (Victoria, B.C.) inside the Niagara six-yard box led to the first Bonnies goal in the 69th minute. St. Bonaventure freshman John Darrah’s cross deflected off VandenBoomen’s leg and past goalkeeper Eric Sullivan (Traverse City, Mich.), giving the Bonnies a 1-0 lead.

Just three minutes later, with St. Bonaventure taking a free kick near the right edge of Niagara penalty box, Misael Pedraza’s shot clipped the two-man Niagara wall, redirecting the ball into the upper corner of the net past Sullivan.

The Purple Eagles were led offensively by junior Mark Spooner (Mickleover, England) and senior Simon Adair (Oakville, Ont.), both taking a combined six of Niagara’s 13 shots in the contest.

With the Purple Eagles unable to finish their chances around their opposition’s net, head coach Dermot McGrane knows his team needs to finish its scoring chances for it to have any success.

"Four out of the last five games we outshot our opponents and lost," McGrane said. "For us to have any success this year, we’ve got to be more clinical in front of goal."

Sullivan made two saves in the loss, while St. Bonaventure senior goalkeeper Sean Eyde made four saves for his first shutout of the season.

The Purple Eagles return to action Saturday, hosting nationally-ranked Binghamton at Niagara Field at 2 p.m. The Bearcats rank No. 22 in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas national poll. Admission to the contest is free.