NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. - The Niagara men’s soccer team used a gritty performance and three unanswered goals to earn a 4-3 come-from-behind win over Robert Morris Sunday afternoon at Niagara Field.

"This was a great result for our team at an important point in the season," head coach Dermot McGrane said. "I think this will give us a lot of momentum and confidence going into the start of conference play."

Niagara fell behind early, conceding a goal in the second minute of the game. Robert Morris earned a corner kick and RMU’s Ryan Zabinski drove in a low, hard shot that got past nearly everyone, except teammate Jacek Przednowek, who was waiting at the back post and redirected the ball past NU’s John Fiutowski (Ottawa, Ont.).

The Purple Eagles battled back and tied the game at one goal apiece on a penalty kick after a Colonial player was called for a hand ball inside the box. Junior Stephen Kauble (Canal Winchester, Ohio) stepped up to the spot and buried the ball it in the back of the net for his first tally of the match. However, Niagara’s elation at leveling the score would be short lived as the Colonials connected on a nice combination play to go up 2-1 in the 19th minute. RMU’s Kyle McIvor sent in a cross that Tyler Stanley headed on to Przednowek, who finished at the far post for his team-leading seventh goal of the season.

Robert Morris increased its lead to 3-1 on a 20-yard shot by Neil Shaffer that beat Fiutowski to the lower left corner. Niagara would cut the lead to one at the 38:48 mark as Eric Brodfuehrer (Tonawanda, N.Y.) scored off an assist from Anthony DiBiase (Richmond Hill, Ont.). DiBiase took a free kick from 30 yards out that Brodfuehrer received inside the six-yard box and was able to redirect past RMU’s Matt Felice, for his first goal of the season.

The second half started much like the first, only this time it was Niagara that scored in the opening minute. Niagara earned a throw-in deep in RMU’s half that junior Miles Patterson (Lansdale, Pa.) headed on to Kauble at the back post. Kauble made no mistake, burying the ball in the back of the net for his third goal of the weekend and tying the game at 3-3.

Set pieces proved to be the difference in the match as all four of Niagara’s goals came off of set plays, including the game-winner off a crafty free kick at the 75:17 mark. Freshman Levi Tesch (Wolcott, N.Y.) lined up behind the ball about 25 yards out and sent a low shot into the box toward junior Matthew Durand (Melbourne, Australia). Durand let the ball run across his body, turned and beat Felice for his third goal of the season.

Niagara’s four goals are the most the team has scored this season, and match its highest single-game total in the past two years. The last time NU scored four goals in a game was a 4-3 win over Cleveland State on Sept. 13, 2006.

Today’s game will be broadcast on a tape delay basis by LCTV and air later Sunday night at 9 p.m. on cable channel 20.

The Purple Eagles open MAAC play Saturday, Oct. 6, when they face Canisius in a 2 p.m. match at Niagara Field.