CONWAY, S.C. - The Niagara University men's soccer team was propelled by senior Matt Durand's (Melbourne, Australia) two goals and two assists as the Purple Eagles (1-0) defeated the Longwood Lancers 4-3 in their opening game of the season.

After being down 3-2 in the second half, the Purple Eagles utilized two quick goals to tie and win the game. Freshman Carl Haworth (Barrie, Ont.) playing in his first collegiate game left his mark, tying the game in the 67th minute from Durand. Just two minutes later Durand would add his second assist on Eric Brodfuehrer's (Tonawanda, N.Y.) game-winner.

Head coach Dermot McGrane was pleased to see how his team handled adversity, as the Purple Eagles were behind in the game on three different occasions.

"We need to be a bit sharper," McGrane said. "I am pleased with the character of the team to keep battling back."

Fourteen minutes in, goalkeeper Jason Whitehead (Middletown, N.Y.) stopped a shot from Braden McPherson, with the resulting rebound making the score 1-0 in favor of the Lancers. Just over two minutes later, the Purple Eagles tied the game as Durand scored his first of the year.  

After the Lancers scored to make it 2-1 at the 21:14 mark, Durand got his second tally of the day, scoring off of a free kick 20 yards out to tie the game at two. The Purple Eagles headed into the half tied at two, while also being gridlocked in shots at seven a piece.

The second half started out like the first, with Longwood taking the advantage on a Martin Vickerton goal at the 55 minute mark, before the Niagara surge.

Haworth finished with a goal and an assist on the afternoon, while Whitehead made four saves in the victory.

The Purple Eagles wrap up the weekend against Florida Atlantic on Saturday at 3 p.m. You can follow the game live, via live stats here.