Box Score

PITTSBURGH – A goal scored in each half undid the Niagara men’s soccer team in a 2-0 defeat at the Duquesne Dukes from Rooney Field on Friday night.

Niagara (0-1-0) was beginning a new era as first-year head coach Chase Brooks was on the sidelines for his first-ever game as a head coach.

The Purple Eagles, though, would fall behind after 10 minutes when Adam Clement headed home a goal off a corner kick to give the Dukes (1-0-0) a 1-0 lead. Duquesne added its second in the 68th minute from A-10 Preseason All-Conference Team member Simon Gomez off a NU turnover.

Scoring chances for the Purple and White were few and far between on the night, with close efforts by Bryan DaCruz in the 36th minute and MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Carl Haworth in the 68th minute.

“At this point in the season it is about who wants it more since no team is clicking on cylinders,” Brooks said. “It was their home opener and they wanted it more; we didn’t match their intensity. Unfortunately, we made too many mistakes and they capitalized on them and we didn’t capitalize on theirs. We are looking forward to our home opener on Sunday, correcting some mistakes and showing our fans what we can do.”

Niagara is back on the field on Sunday when it hosts Little 3 rival St. Bonaventure from Niagara Field at 1 p.m. The game will be a tape-delayed broadcast by Lockport Community Television (LCTV).