RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Niagara men's soccer team blanked the Manhattan Jaspers, 4-0, on Sunday morning. Junior forward Carl Haworth recorded his second career hat-trick in the win.

"It was important for us to win today," head coach Dermot McGrane said. "The lads played well and deserved to get the result."

Niagara (4-8-1, 2-2-0 MAAC) had a season-high 28 shots and tied a season-high with four goals in its second consecutive 4-0 victory over Manhattan (0-10-0, 0-4-0 MAAC). Haworth ran the Jaspers defense ragged all day en route to his second-ever hat-trick. Haworth and Eric Brodfeuher each had hat tricks in Niagara's 7-1 win over Rider on Oct. 12, 2008, which was also the last time any Purple Eagle completed the feat.

Junior forward Liam Gilbert opened the scoring before Haworth netted his three goals. Gilbert scored in the 18th minute after a pass from Levi Tesch put Gilbert into the space to score his sixth of the season. Haworth, who ranks among the nation's best in points and goals, would provide the rest of the scoring.

In the 29th minute, Gilbert played a through ball down the center of the pitch and Haworth chipped it over the on rushing keeper for his first goal. Four minutes into the second half, the Purple Eagles won a penalty kick. Haworth stepped up to the spot and bagged his second of the game to give NU a 3-0 lead; Haworth is 2-for-2 in penalty kicks this season. The final goal came in the 85th minute when Haworth snuck behind the Jaspers backline and he dribbled around the keeper to clinch his hat-trick.

Niagara will play its final two home matches of the season next weekend, beginning versus Rider on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.