BOCA RATON, Fl. – The Niagara men's soccer team started a two-game road trip to the Sunshine State Friday night against the Florida Atlantic Owls. In a tough defensive contest that resulted in just three shots on goal, the Purple Eagles came up just short, losing 1-0 at FAU Soccer Stadium.
 
Game Summary

• Final Score: Florida Atlantic 1, Niagara 0
• Niagara Goal Scorers: n/a
• Niagara Assists: n/a
• In Goal: Steve Casey (1-1-0); 1 GA, 1 SV
• Records: Niagara (1-1-0), Florida Atlantic (1-2-0)
• Location: FAU Soccer Stadium – Boca Raton, Fl.
• Attendance: 377

 
Game Recap

• Niagara received the first chance of the game with a corner kick from Mackenzie Roach, but could not find a shot from the opportunity.
• Goalkeeper Steve Casey made his lone save of the afternoon in the 17th minute, denying Florida Atlantic's Dylan Huber.
• Redshirt senior captain Fabrizio Chiari gave Niagara its best chance of the evening with a shot on goal in the 37th minute that was denied by Owls goalkeeper Philip Hitpass, who earned the clean sheet for Florida Atlantic.
• Florida Atlantic failed to turn a corner kick from Jason Fitzgerald into a scoring chance in the 67th minute.
• The Owls maintained possession and Danny Del Rio found Fitzgerald for the lone goal of the evening. Del Rio's pass to the left side of the goalbox found Fitzgerald, who slid past the Niagara defense to beat Casey.
• Niagara had few chances after the Florida Atlantic goal to find an equalizer. The Purple Eagles' offense was caught offside on a chance in the 70th minute, and a shot from Owen Carter sailed wide just four minutes later.

Coach's Corner

• Head coach Bill Boyle: "We fought for 90 minutes and the effort was there. We just could not put our chances away, and they took care of one. It was a very even match from top to bottom."

 
Inside the Numbers

• Steve Casey stopped one of two shots on goal in the loss. He now sports a 0.50 goals-against average and .800 save percentage through 180 minutes in goal this season.
• Shiquan Lowe, Bautista Pedezert, Mackenzie Roach, and Konrad Zydowicz played the full 90 minutes.
• Niagara was outshot 8-5 in Friday's match after holding a 12-9 advantage in that category during a 4-0 victory over Robert Morris in the season opener.

 
Up Next

• Niagara concludes its road stretch Sunday afternoon, taking on Florida International at 2:00 p.m.
• After that, the Purple Eagles play three consecutive matches at Niagara Field, starting with the home opener against the NJIT Highlanders on Friday, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m.

 
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