NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - In its first game of MAAC competition, the Niagara men's soccer team fell on the road against the Iona Gaels, 6-1, on Saturday afternoon.
 
With Niagara (1-7-1, 0-1-0 MAAC) pressing to get on the board late, Iona committed an own goal in the 77th minute to give the Purple Eagles a goal. Joel Gerberich opened the game in net making six saves, but surrendering five goals in 72 minutes of action. Colin Hanley completed the game, finishing with one goal allowed and one save.
 
Iona opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a goal from Marcos Nunez, before Daniel Huerta tallied in the 26th and 35th minutes to give the Gaels a 3-0 halftime lead. Nunez and Brendan Reardon beat Gerberich in the second half before he was relieved by Hanley. After Niagara got on the board with the own goal, Bautista Pedezert had a shot blocked just minutes later. Iona's Matias Correa beat Hanley in the 88th minute to conclude the scoring.
 
Niagara heads to Siena on Wednesday, Sept. 30 to conclude a three-game road trip at Siena at 3:00 p.m. The Purple Eagles return to Niagara Field on Oct. 3 to host the Quinnipiac Bobcats at 1:00 p.m.