PITTSBURGH, Pa. – In its final non-conference game of the 2015 season, the Niagara men's soccer team put together a strong effort in a road matchup with the Pittsburgh Panthers. With a late goal, the Purple Eagles were able to force extra time. Neither team could break through in the ensuing 20 minutes, resulting in a 1-1 draw
Trailing 1-0 in the 84
th minute, Niagara had a corner kick taken by
Ryan Myers, who transferred from Pitt. The corner from Myers was set up perfectly for a header from
Bautista Pedezert, who directed it to the far corner for his third goal of the season. Myers' assist was his second of the 2015 season.
Colin Hanley received the start in net and made six saves on seven Pittsburgh shots on goal over the full 110 minutes.
After a scoreless first half, Pittsburgh's Patrick Dixon's corner was buried into the upper right corner past Hanley by Kevin Murray. Niagara continued to press throughout the second half, and eventually the team broke through with Pedezert's goal to draw even. The Purple Eagles finished with four shots on goal for the game, two from Pedezert and two from defender
Jordy Robins.
With the draw Tuesday night, Niagara moved to 1-0-2 in the final three games of its non-conference slate after losing its first six games outside of the MAAC. The Purple Eagles have seven more games, including four more appearances at Niagara Field, before the opening of MAAC championships in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
