OLEAN, N.Y. – Nicholas Watson's strike three minutes into overtime gave the Purple Eagles a 1-0 over St. Bonaventure on Sunday afternoon and kept NU undefeated in games for the Buffalo Shield.
 
Watson got a pass from Andrew Ferguson inside the box and made no mistake with his first shot of the contest as the sophomore beat the goalkeeper low-right to give his team it's second win in-a-row. Ferguson assisted on the game winning goal for the second-straight game. 
 
"The guys did a great job earning a result against a fresh team following Friday night's battle," head coach Eric Barnes said. "We created a number of chances during regulation and it was great to finally break through in OT with a class finish by Nicky."
 
Brennan Koslow applied the pressure for the Purple Eagles (3-3-0) in the opening half. The freshman from Greenville, South Carolina collected shots on goal in both the 26^th and 34^th minutes. He and Julian Ekeze also sent shots just wide of the goalmouth in the opening three minutes as the Purple and White finished the half with four total shots. At the same time, the Bonnies (0-2-0) were able to muster three shots but missed on all three as the teams went into the half scoreless. 
 
Ekeze kept the pressure on early in the second with a pair of shots on goal during the first five minutes of the period. From there, however, NU had to weather the storm as SBU was able to apply some pressure of its own.
 
Joel Gerberich, making his fourth start of the season, wasn't tested much as NU controlled play throughout the opening half. The freshman keeper answered when called upon and made six saves through the second half to keep SBU off of the board and send the game to overtime tied 0-0. He wasn't tested in the extra period and came away with his second-consecutive victory and his first collegiate shutout.
 
"Joel has been solid for us all year both making saves and dealing with crosses," said Barnes. "His stats haven't done him justice. He was an integral part in earning the win on Friday as well as keeping the clean sheet today. He has a very bright future."
 
Ekeze led the team with four total shots. Both he and Koslow tied with two shots on goal apiece. With the win, Niagara successfully defended the Buffalo Shield. They will have to do so one more time with the last big four match coming in the last game of the season when Nu faces Canisius on Nov. 5.
 
Niagara has a week off before they take to the pitch again at home against Detroit on Sunday for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff at Niagara Field.