Box Score

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The No. 4 seed Niagara men’s soccer team dropped its MAAC Tournament quarterfinal matchup against the fifth-seeded Marist Red Foxes in heartbreaking fashion, losing in penalty kicks after 110 minutes of scoreless action. 

“I’m proud of the boys, the way we played today, the guys worked hard, it was a very good team effort unfortunately we fell a little short,” head coach Chase Brooks said.  “Losing in PKs is a tough way to lose a game and I felt we definitely deserved something out of the game.”

Hoping for a repeat of 2009’s victory over top seeded Iona that went to penalty kicks, Niagara (9-4-5) sent Carl Haworth, Mike Pass, and Callum Willmott to shoot.  Haworth was the only one to score and Marist’s shooters were too much for junior goalkeeper Brett Petricek as the red Foxes (8-6-5) won 4-1. 

“I feel the guys put forth a great effort and really represented Niagara very well,” Brooks said.

The match was physical from the start as 36 total fouls were called, Niagara was assessed 23 of those.  Five Purple Eagles were awarded yellow cards in the second half (Haworth, Ken Cooper, Kyle Moraldo, Willmott, and Nick Garcia).

Niagara was able to outshoot Marist 22-11 which led to more shots on goal (8-3).  The Purple Eagles were able to put pressure on Marist at the end of each period but could never convert that one chance.  Bryan Da Cruz sent a few shots wide and Liam Gilbert had a few chances that were blocked.

This was the final game as a Purple Eagle for several key players including Haworth, Pass, and Gilbert.

“We are going to miss our seniors, we wish them the best of luck in all their future endevors,” said Brooks.  “We are definitely going to miss those guys moving forward, for their leadership they provided as well as their play on the field.”

Niagara’s head coach Chase Brooks set the program record for most wins by a first-year head coach with the 9-4-5 record, breaking the record that has stood since the initial year of the program when Alphonso Montagna’s Purple Eagles finished the 1969 season 8-4-1. 

“We will look to getting back to business here in a couple weeks.  Start refocusing on the MAAC championship next year,” Brooks concluded.