Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men’s soccer team fought to a 1-1 draw against Siena in a rain-soaked game to remain undefeated in conference play.

“When you’re at home, especially, you have to take care of business, you have to come out of there with good results,” head coach Chase Brooks said after the game.  “At home it is vital.”

Siena (3-5-1, 0-1-1) would open the scoring as freshman forward Nathan Olukanami would make two nice moves in the goal box then beat Niagara’s Brett Petricek with the shot. 

The Purple Eagles (6-2-2, 1-0-1) would respond off a corner kick from Carl Haworth.  The senior’s kick would deflect off a Siena defender and land at the feet of Roberto Andersson who would score to tie the game at 1-1. 

With 24 minutes left in the second half, Siena had a perfect opportunity to take the lead but Olukanmi had an open net after Petricek made an initial save, but hit the crossbar with his shot from a foot away from the goal line.

The Purple Eagles had some chances of their own, especially with 14 minutes left in regulation after Mike Pass made two spectacular defensive plays then found an open Haworth who sent a shot wide of the Siena net.  Then, with 20 seconds left in regulation, Bryan Da Cruz had an opportunity to end the game with a shot from inside the goalbox but sent the ball wide of the net.    

“I think that both teams will actually look back and think that they probably missed one or two chances to put the game out of reach, but that’s soccer,” Brooks said.  “I’m proud of the guys for how hard they worked and they created those opportunities, now it’s about learning from it.”

Niagara will look to continue their success in-conference next weekend when they hit the road to play at Iona on Friday, Oct. 7 and at Fairfield on Sunday, Oct. 9, 

(Check out the Post Game recap as @NU_BobVail talks to Roberto Andersson about his first goal at Niagara and head coach Chase Brooks recaps the opening weekend in MAAC play)