FAIRFIELD, Conn. - In a tense, tightly contested match the Niagara men's soccer team was denied its first-ever MAAC Championship after falling to number two seed Loyola, 1-0, in double-overtime on Sunday afternoon from Lessing Field. The Greyhounds struck the game-winner with 23 seconds left in double-overtime.

“I’m very proud on how our team played today,” head coach Dermot McGrane said. “Losing Levi (Tesch) and (Justin) Roundy on red cards (Friday), we needed other guys to step up and they did. I really believe if we would have gone into penalties, we would have won.”

With the game earmarked for another penalty kick shootout for fourth-seeded Niagara (7-10-3), Matt Tyrie's wondergoal in the 110th minute sent Loyola (11-7-3) to the NCAA Tournament as the league's champion. The Greyhounds were pressing in the second overtime period in an attempt to win the game and to avoid the lottery known as the penalty kick shootout.

Niagara advanced to the MAAC Championship Game after knocking off top-seeded Iona in penalties on Friday night. Senior goalkeeper John Fiutowski (Ottawa, Ont.) saved all three penalties faced. In the championship game, Fiutowski was once again called on to make key saves.    

Fiutowski made one of his five saves on a header by Eddie Dines with 51 seconds remaining in the second overtime period. However, a turnover in the back allowed Loyola another offensive attack. Tyrie hit a curving drive outside of the box around three defenders into the upper-90 in which Fiutowski could do nothing about it.

Sophomore forward Carl Haworth (Barrie, Ont.) had the Purple Eagles' best scoring chance. In the 64th minute, his 25-yard line drive was saved by Kyle Wittman's fingertips and hit the post.

Senior defender Nick Lippa (Rochester, N.Y.), Haworth and Fiutowski were all named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team.