MENTOR, Ohio – Extending its unbeaten streak to three games, the Niagara University men’s soccer team (2-6-1) played to a 0-0 tie with Cleveland State University (3-3-2) Wednesday at Mentor High School Stadium, in Mentor, Ohio.

Although playing to a scoreless tie with the Vikings, the Purple Eagles won the statistical battle, outshooting Cleveland State, 17-11, in the contest. Niagara took nine corners in the draw.

"I thought the boys battled hard and were unlucky not to get the win," Niagara head coach Dermot McGrane said. "It’s nice to go three games unbeaten."

McGrane complemented the play of junior midfielder Sasha Kaplun (Toronto) and freshman defender Matt Danella (Palm Bay, Fla.) in the tie. Both players are part of a Purple Eagles defensive effort that has allowed just one goal in the past three contests.

Making two saves, junior goalkeeper Eric Sullivan (Traverse City, Mich.) aggressively stopped a point-blank shot by Cleveland State in the second overtime to preserve the 0-0 tie. Sullivan, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, is unbeaten in his last three starts, making 12 saves in the three-game stretch. Freshman goalkeeper James McKenna (Pittsford, N.Y.) also saw action in the draw, contributing a save.

Niagara’s best scoring chance in the game came in the second half when junior defender Mark Spooner (Mickleover, England) drove a shot to the far post, parried wide at the last moment by Vikings goalkeeper Amir Kettani. Spooner led the Purple Eagles with six shots in the contest.

Kettani finished with eight saves for his first shutout of the season.

The Purple Eagles return to action Oct. 5, hosting regionally-ranked Colgate University at Niagara Field at 3 p.m.