BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senior captain Nick Garcia connected for the game-winning goal in the later stages of regulation to lift the Niagara men's soccer team to a 1-0 road win over Canisius on Wednesday evening at the Demski Sports Complex.  

With their fourth victory of the season, the Purple Eagles push their record to 4-10-1 overall, and 2-4-1 in MAAC play, while the Golden Griffins dropped to 6-7-2 overall, and 2-4-1 in conference matches.  

Sixty-five minutes into a hard fought contest between the cross-town rivals, Garcia broke the scoreless tie with his second of the season and second overall in his NU career.  Garcia made a superb solo run up the middle of the field, finding an open spot between Canisius defenders from 20-yards out and ripped a top shelf goal to give the Purple Eagles a 1-0 lead with 25 minutes remaining in the contest.  

Canisius did not back down after falling behind, throwing all bodies into the attacking half.  In the final three minutes Thomas Teupen came inches away from tying the game, however his shot was cleared off the line by the Niagara defense to preserve the victory for the seniors who will leave NU without suffering a loss to the Griffs in four seasons.    

"The team knew the importance of this game to our seniors and the school," head coach Eric Barnes said.  "We played a solid game for the entire 90 minutes, and our captain, Nick Garcia scored the goal of the season for just his second of his career.  We will be looking to carry the momentum into the weekend." 

Despite a fast-paced opening half neither side was able to get any quality scoring chances on target.  A majority of the action was played in the NU defensive end, but the Purple Eagles limited their archrival to just two shots in 45 minutes. 

Canisius' best opportunity came with just under 20 minutes remaining in the half as NU was called for a foul from 23-yards out, but Will Hudson's direct kick sailed high of the goal.  Niagara began to press in the later stages of the stanza, and almost grabbed the lead as Kameron Maney's diving head off a corner kick from Jacob Ohlin in the 35th minute soared over the crossbar.

Both teams came out firing in the second period.  Canisius started off the stanza with a screamer from Nicolo Baudo just outside the box that flew wide of the diving Brenden Ottman.   A few seconds later, Niagara responded with a golden chance of its own.  Ken Cooper saw a couple of his shots at the top of the 18-yard box blocked by Canisius defenders, so the senior dished the ball to Kyle Moraldo, whose low, one-time shot was stymied by the Ryan Arvin.    

Ottman finished the game with five saves to push his record to 3-6-1 on the season.  The blank slate was his third of the year.

The Purple Eagles continue their three game road trip in West Long Branch, N.J. when Niagara takes to the field against Monmouth.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.