LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The men's soccer team used an offensive explosion to advance to the quarterfinals of the MAAC Championships with a 6-1 victory over Manhattan on Wednesday. The six-goal outburst marks the most goals scored by a Purple Eagle soccer team since Oct. 4, 2005.

Niagara earned the seventh-seed in the championships, being forced to play the 10th-seeded Jaspers on the first day of the tournament. The Purple Eagles responded to the challenge, scoring six goals on six shots on goal.

"I am very pleased of the way that we played today," head coach Dermot McGrane said. "In a situation like the one we are in, players need to step up their performances, and today, as a team, we got that."

Junior Matthew Durand (Melbourne, Australia) netted a pair of tallies, while classmate Miles Patterson (Lansdale, Pa.) scored a goal and added two assists in the win. The duo teammed up for Niagara's first goal in the 12th minute of play.

Junior Rob Chipman (Tonawanda, N.Y.) made the score 2-0 when Anthony DiBiase (Richmond Hill, Ont.) set up the eventual game winner. Stephen Kauble (Canal Winchester, Ohio) and Jordan DeRoy (Barrie, Ont.) also added goals, helping the Purple Eagles move on to the quarterfinals.

The six-goal performance marked the first time Niagara scored that many goals since a 6-1 win over Cleveland State, Oct. 4, 2005.

"Everyone contributed to the victory," McGrane added. "It was a great team performance."

Niagara is back in action Thursday at 11:15 a.m. against No. 2 Saint Peter's.