NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men's soccer team (4-8-2, 2-2-1 MAAC) couldn't hold onto a second half lead, playing the host Rider Broncs (2-10-1, 1-2-1 MAAC) to a 1-1 tie in front of 165 fans at a cold Niagara Field on Friday night.

The Purple Eagles were up 1-0 with under 10 minutes to play when Rider broke through for the game-tying goal. With 6:39 left on the clock, Dan Friga knocked home a rebound from Purple Eagle netminder Mike Moran to tie the game. Niagara outshot the Broncs 9-0 in the two overtime sessions, but to no avail.

"The game should have been over in regulation, but we had a few mental errors," Niagara head men's soccer coach Dermot McGrane said. "I thought that we created plenty of chances. The Rider goalkeeper played well, making some huge saves."

Niagara took a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute of play, when senior Levi Tesch found junior Carl Haworth streaking in the offensive zone. Haworth ripped a shot past Broncs goalkeeper Matt Perrella to put the Purple Eagles up 1-0. Niagara outshot Rider 8-6 in the first half and limited the Broncs chances to long shots to take a halftime lead.  

"On Sunday, we need to win," McGrane said. "We need are good players to play well."

The Purple Eagles wrap up the home portion of their 2010 season on Sunday when they host Loyola at one pm. Prior to the game, Niagara's seniors will be honored for their commitment and loyalty to Niagara athletics. The game will also be broadcast via tape delay on Lockport Community Television (LCTV) during the week.