NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Despite a torrential downpour, the Niagara men’s soccer team posted its first MAAC victory of the season with a 1-0 win over Iona Friday afternoon in New Rochelle, N.Y. The Purple Eagles improve to 3-7-2 (1-2-1 MAAC), while the Gaels drop to 6-8-0 (2-3 MAAC).

Freshman Levi Tesch (Wolcott, N.Y.) broke a scoreless tie in the 77th minute with his first goal in a Purple Eagle uniform on an assist from junior Stephen Kauble (Canal Winchester, Ohio).

Kauble, who has scored a point in five of his last six games, created the scoring opportunity after bringing the ball down the right flank and finding Tesch at the right corner of the box. Tesch then beat his defender and fired the game-winner into the lower left corner of the net.

Making his first start of the season and only the second of his career, senior goalkeeper Jason Whitehead (Middletown, N.Y.) recorded the shutout for the Purple Eagles, tying a career-high with five saves in the sloppy conditions.

"We’ve been improving with each game and have focused on not giving away silly goals due to mistakes," head coach Dermot McGrane said. "It was good to see us come away with a shutout."

Iona held a 16-6 edge in shots, including a 10-2 advantage in the second half. The Gaels also had seven corner kicks to just one for the Purple Eagles.

Niagara continues conference play Sunday when it travels to Fairfield for a 1 p.m. start.