NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - Matt Durand's (Melbourne, Australia) goal and assist helped propel the Purple Eagles men's soccer team (5-1-1) to a 2-1 win over the visiting Bucknell Bisons (3-3-2) in front of 350 fans at Niagara Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Bisons pressed late, after scoring on a give and go from Anthony Ferraro to Conor O'Brien with just six minutes remaining. Bucknell mounted a lot of pressure, but the Purple Eagles were able to protect the net, in order to come away with the victory.

In a truly back and forth game, head coach Dermot McGrane was pleased with the way his team handled the game.

"I was pleased with the way we played today," McGrane said. "Bucknell is a very good team and we did a good job of containing their offense, while keeping possession of the ball ourselves."

The first half of the the first period was dominated largely by Niagara, taking several shots and earning five corner kicks. Niagara broke through in the 22nd minute, as Durand sent a cross over to Levi Tesch (Wolcott, N.Y.) who then sent it over to Joe Skinner (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) for his first goal of the season. Niagara kept mounting the pressure, outshooting the Bisons 11-6 en route to a 1-0 halftime lead.

The second half saw Niagara continue to mount pressure. In the 63rd minute, Anthony DiBiase (Richmond Hill, Ont.) sent a corner kick sailing across the net, which found an open Durand, as he scored his sixth goal of the season when he stopped the ball only to drill it into the back of the net.

"It was a great weekend overall for us," McGrane said. "We came away with two wins against quality opponents, which says a lot about where our team is headed this year."

The Purple Eagles now have a week to prepare for a match on Sept. 28 at 2:30 p.m. against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies in Olean, N.Y.  To catch Niagara's game against Bucknell on television, tune into Lockport Community Television (LCTV) Channel 20 on Sept. 21 at 9 p.m., Sept. 22 at midnight and 2 p.m. and Sept. 27 at 7 a.m.