GREEN BAY, Wisc. – The Niagara University men’s soccer team (1-0-0) lost its first game of the 2004 Green Bay Soccer Classic, falling, 5-1, to Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (1-1-0) Saturday at Phoenix Field on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

The Purple Eagles allowed five consecutive goals to the Mastodons, scoring late in the contest when senior midfielder Simon Adair (Oakville, Ont.) hit a one-time shot past IPFW goalkeeper Peter Hachaj in the 87th minute.

Niagara fell behind, 1-0, when IPFW forward Chas Parry finished a loose ball in the Purple Eagles’ penalty box in the 21st minute.

Trailing by only a goal heading into half, Hachaj denied a one-on-one opportunity by Niagara sophomore Matt Stedman (Lockport, N.Y.) in the early minutes of the second half, refusing to allow the equalizing goal. Stedman finished the contest with three one-on-one chances.

The deciding factor of the game was a 12-minute span midway into the second half, as the Mastodons were able to score four goals and take full control of the game.

Off a corner kick in the 67th minute, IPFW defender Kraig Keys hit a volley past Niagara goalkeeper Eric Sullivan (Traverse City, Mich.) to score the game-winner and the first of the four-goal sequence. A second goal by Parry and two goals by forward Seth Fishelson closed out scoring for the Mastodons.

The five goals allowed is the most Niagara has conceded in close to two years of play. The Purple Eagles lost to St. Bonaventure, 5-2, Sept. 11 2002.

Despite the scoring margin, the Purple Eagles outshot IPFW, 19-17, in the contest.

Sullivan made two saves for Niagara in the loss, with Hachaj making six saves for his first win of the season.

In the invitational’s other game, Wisconsin-Green Bay defeated Lipscomb University, 2-0.

Niagara looks to regroup from Saturday’s defeat, facing Wisconsin-Green Bay Sunday at Phoenix Field. Game time is set for 1 p.m.