NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Behind two second-half goals, the Niagara University men’s soccer team (1-6-0) earned its first win of the season, defeating regionally-ranked University at Buffalo (6-1-1), 3-1, at Niagara Field Wednesday.
With the score tied 1-1 entering the second half, the Purple Eagles took the lead in the 72nd minute following a highlight-reel goal by sophomore forward Kwame Oduro (Toronto). After a lofted cross into the penalty area by junior midfielder Sasha Kaplun (Toronto), Oduro left his feet and scissor-kicked the ball high into the Bulls net from 12 yards, scoring his first goal as a Purple Eagle.
Continued pressure on the Buffalo defense led to the third and final goal of the contest. In the 84th minute, sophomore forward Matt Stedman (Lockport) raced down right side of the field following a defensive stand for Niagara. Stedman cut into the Buffalo penalty box, beating a Bulls defender, and placed a low shot into the left corner of the net, helping extend the lead to a two-goal margin.
Following the victory, head coach Dermot McGrane complemented his team’s efforts against the Bulls, who are the fourth-ranked team in the New York Region in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas regional poll.
"They always say the first win is the hardest win to get and this year it’s been very hard to come by," McGrane said. "I’m please with the boys, we worked hard today and finally we finished the chances that we had. Let’s hope this is a sign of things to come."
Buffalo took a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute, as sophomore midfielder Brian Knapp hit a heavy shot off the hands of Niagara goalkeeper Eric Sullivan (Traverse City, Mich.) and into the top corner of the net.
Just four minutes later, senior Dan O’Shea (East Syracuse, N.Y.) tied the game with a driven header past Bulls goalkeeper Daniel Bell. O’Shea, a goalkeeper who has been playing on the field in recent games, out-jumped the Buffalo defense, heading a flighted cross from junior Tony Franjoine (Orchard Park, N.Y.) and scoring the first goal of his collegiate career.
Shots were in favor of the Bulls, 16-10. Sullivan, who made a diving save on a deflected shot in 53rd minute to preserve a 1-1 game, made three saves for his first win as a Purple Eagle. Bell made three saves in the loss.
Niagara continues its three-game homestand Sunday against Oneonta State, hosting the Red Dragons at Niagara Field at noon.
