NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men's soccer team opened the 2013 season with a 1-0 loss to the Vermont Catamounts on Friday evening at Niagara Field.

"Overall, the team played pretty well.  We had a mental lapse on a free kick that can't happen and were punished for it," first year head coach Eric Barnes said.  "On the other end of the field, we didn't pull the trigger when we have shooting opportunities.  If you take set pieces off on defense and don't shoot on offense, chances are this is the result you'll end up with.  We're going to regroup tomorrow and be ready to go on Sunday."

The game was evenly contested throughout the opening half, but neither team could find the back of the net until Vermont broke the scoreless tie two minutes into the second half.  Scott Kisling was on the receiving end of a Beau Johnson free kick which was headed in past goalkeeper Brenden Ottman  for the game-winning tally. 

Ottman gave the Purple Eagle an opportunity to get back in the game with several key saves, including a diving stop off another Catamount free kick attempt by Luke Salmson 14 minutes into the second half, but Niagara could not sustain enough offensive pressure to find the equalizer. 

The Catamounts finished the game with a 12-5 advantage in shots.  Ottman wrapped up the evening with two saves in his first stint in net for the Purple Eagles.

The Purple Eagles return to Niagara Field on Sunday, Sept. 1 as they welcome Little 3 rival St. Bonaventure for a 2 p.m. kickoff.