NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men's soccer team secured its first conference victory of the season in fashion, keeping the Rider Broncs off the scoreboard for a 2-0 win at Niagara Field on Wednesday afternoon. 

Nick Garcia's first goal of his Niagara career in the first half was the only tally needed to come out with the victory, but Jack Welsh added his second in two games to protect the lead.  Niagara goalkeeper Brenden Ottman made four saves on the afternoon for his second shutout of the season.

The victory pushed Niagara to a 3-9-1 overall record, and a 1-3-1 MAAC mark, while the Riders drop to 7-6-1 on the season, and 2-3-1 in MAAC play.  

"The team played very well today against a good side," head coach Eric Barnes said.  "Our captain, Nick Garcia, scored his first goal of his career, and the team worked hard to get a second goal and keep a clean sheet.  We still have a chance to qualify for the conference tournament, and we're planning on doing everything possible to achieve that goal."

The Broncs controlled the majority of play in the opening minutes of the contest, but Niagara began to find its feet in the later stages of the frame. 
Junior Callum Willmott had NU's first golden opportunity of the contest, seeing a 20 yard rocket saved by the diving Rider goalkeeper, David Pastuna.

The Purps continued to press however, and Garcia netted his first goal of the season in the 33rd minute.  Micah Paulino set up the play on a long corner kick to the right of David Pastuna that flew towards the top of the six-yard box.  Garcia got a head on the ball, and it snuck between the Rider defenders to the back of the goal.    

The Broncs pressed in the second stanza, outshooting the Purple Eagles 11-3, but the backline buckled down against the Rider offense to keep them without a goal.

Rider came close to tying the game about midway through the period, but the crossbar came through for Ottman.  After Niagara was called for a foul right outside the 18-yard box, Christian Flath pinged a direct kick off the crossbar that was headed back towards goal, before Ottman grabbed the rebound.  

Welsh gave Niagara a two-goal cushion late in the 71st minute off an assist from Willmott.  Willmott made a run down the left sideline, cutting towards the middle before sending a pass across the middle towards a wide open Welsh.  Welsh controlled the feed and slipped a solid, low shot towards the right corner. 

The Purple Eagles head out on the road for their final trio of road games in the regular season beginning with the Iona Gaels on Saturday, Oct. 26.  Kickoff is scheduled for noon.