BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Niagara (0-2-0) men’s soccer team played Buffalo (1-2-0) to a 0-0 tie through two-thirds of the game, but it wasn’t enough as UB ran to a 2-0 win Wednesday night at UB Stadium.

The Purple Eagles were unable to find the back of the net for the second-straight game, despite sound spurts of play.

"While I’m not happy with the result tonight, I was pleased with their attitude and the effort the effort put forth by the players," head coach Dermot McGrane said. "I think we showed glimpses of the type of team we are going to become."

Niagara came out strong to start the game, creating several solid scoring opportunities including a pair by freshman Levi Tesch (Wolcott, N.Y.). At the five minute mark, Tesch nearly scored on a free kick from 25 yards out, but his best scoring opportunity came in the run of play. Tesch launched a rocket from 30 yards that Buffalo’s Rob Shuttleworth had to push over the cross bar. On the resulting corner, Tesch’s kick found junior Eric Brodfuehrer (Tonawanda, N.Y.), whose header went just high.

Following a scoreless first half, the Purple Eagles came out strong in the second creating several goal-scoring chances early on. Junior Stephen Kauble (Canal Winchester,Ohio), who played as a forward against the Bulls, narrowly missed in the 48th minute when his shot went just wide.

The momentum then swung in Buffalo’s favor as UB’s Dan Bully sent a shot over the net in the 56th minute. Less than 10 minutes later, the Bulls earned a free kick just outside Niagara’s box. Sophomore goalkeeper John Fiutowski (Ottawa, Ont.) blocked Bully’s initial shot, but couldn’t hang on to the ball and Dave Chojnowski finished the rebound to put the Bulls ahead, 1-0, at the 64:44 minute mark.

Buffalo nearly added another just three minutes later when Niagara turned the ball over and Bully found himself alone at the top of the box. But Fiutowski was up for the challenge and denied Bully’s shot as sophomore Justin Roundy (Liverpool, N.Y.) cleared the rebound out of danger.

Buffalo’s offensive pressure proved too much for the Purple Eagle defense, as the Bulls strung several passes together and Bully managed to shake free of his defender dodging Fiutowski’s challenge for the final goal of the game. Fiutowski finished with nine saves.

Following an off weekend, Niagara will travel to Saint Francis (N.Y.) for a 7 p.m. match on Sept. 14.