NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men's soccer team was unable to erase a 3-0 deficit, despite a late second half flurry, to fall 3-1 against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies on Sunday afternoon from Niagara Field. Senior Stephen Kauble (Canal Winchester, Ohio) scored NU's only goal from the penalty spot.

"I felt like we competed well for most of the game today," head coach Dermot McGrane said. "However, a few mental mistakes cost us the game."

The Purple Eagles were down 1-0 after 14 minutes. Niagara (2-6-1) had few chances in the first half and fell to keep its composure in front of goal. Bryan DaCruz (Barrie, Ont.) and Levi Tesch (Wolcott, N.Y.) both had guilt edge chances to score. In the 27th minute, DaCruz pulled his shot narrowly wide from a through ball by Rene DeZorzi (Maple, Ont.). In the 38th minute, Kauble sent in a cross into the box that found Tesch in the six-yard box, but he blasted his shot over the net.

Five after minutes after halftime, St. Bonaventure (4-4-0) struck again when Brett Allen collected the loose ball on the 18-yard box and shot it passed the keeper. The Bonnies made it 3-0 in the 67th minute from a quick counter attack.

In search of goals, Niagara turned up the pressure for the remaining of the half. The Purple Eagles had the bulked of the chances with majority of them coming from the feet of Tesch and DaCruz. Niagara was rewarded a penalty kick in the 75th minute when Zach Scholla (Angelica, N.Y.) was thrown to the ground. Kauble calmly placed his penalty kick to the left of the keeper, who was going the other way, to put NU on the scoreboard.

In the 83rd minute, Anthony DiBiase (Richmond Hill, Ont.) hit a 25-yard rocket which was headed to the top corner of the net, but was saved by SBU’s goalkeeper David Flynn. Niagara continued to push players forward, but to no avail.  

Niagara begins conference play at home this Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. against the Manhattan Jaspers.