Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Niagara men’s soccer team will play for its first-ever MAAC Championship and a chance to earn its first ever bid to the NCAA Tournament as the league's champion on Saturday at 8 p.m. on ESPN3 after dropping second-seeded Siena in overtime, 2-1, on Thursday evening.

The Purple Eagles (12-1-4; 6-1-1 MAAC) advanced to the program's second MAAC final appearance as a result of a Darren Cooper goal 15 seconds into overtime.  After seeing their 1-0 lead vanish late in the second half, the Purple Eagles had to battle into extra time for the seventh time this season, but NU wasted no time in getting redemption from the team’s only loss during the regular season that came against Siena.

Cooper received a ball from Nick Garcia and dribbled into the Saint’s defensive end before chipping the ball from 30-yards out over the outstretched hands of Siena goalkeeper Damian Liesmann.  This was the rookie’s second game-winning goal of the season, and he wrapped up the game with a season-high three point night (1-1-3). 

“It was a great game between two good teams,” head coach Chase Brooks said.  “We had to match Siena’s intensity, and our guys came out very motivated, especially with Siena handing us our only loss of year so there was a bit of a revenge factor there.  Credit to our guys for playing with emotion, and they worked very hard to get the result."

Neither team saw many scoring opportunities in the opening 45 minutes of play, as the Purps and Saints (10-7; 6-2 MAAC) each had four looks on goal.  Liesmann had to be solid between the posts as the three Purple Eagle shots that were on target were quality chances. 

Callum Willmott had a golden opportunity to pull the team ahead with a little over two minutes remaining in the first half.  Ryan Merrifield played a great ball from the midfield to the streaking Willmott who ripped a shot a few steps outside of the box, but Liesmann deflected the scoring attempt over the net. 

After a scoreless 77 minutes, two quick goals were tallied in a 28 second span late in the second stanza.  Niagara was the first to get on the board, breaking the deadlock and taking the 1-0 lead at the 78th minute off the foot of Roberto Andersson.  A corner kick feed from Bryan Da Cruz was knocked around in the box before Darren Cooper pounced on the loose ball.  The shot was blocked, but Andersson was waiting for the rebound and buried one past Liesmann for his second goal of the season. 

The one-goal advantage lasted barely a minute as the Saints came right back and tallied the equalizer 28 seconds later.  Matt Hemsley took a pass from James Beeston wide right off the ensuing kickoff, and took on three NU defenders before slipping a low shot near post under NU keeper Brett Petricek. 

"Now we’re excited to meet whichever team earns the second spot in the final on Saturday," Brooks added. "We need to continue working hard, and hopefully complete the weekend with a win."  

Despite the result, the contest ended with Siena outshooting Niagara by a slim 15-12 margin.  Petricek finished the game with four saves for Niagara, while Liesmann tallied five saves in his 90 minutes of work. 

Niagara will play the winner of the tournament's second semifinal between fourth-seeded Iona and first-seeded Loyola.