NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. –Absalom Solorio-Villalpando bookended the scoring in a 2-1 overtime win for the Niagara men's soccer team. The senior midfielder netted on a corner in the 50th minute to draw first blood before burying a penalty in the extra session to send Rider packing.
 
Match Moments

• 17' - Josh Savoni stonewalled the oncoming Rider attack by sliding in front of a near-breakaway shot from point-blank range and absorbing the kick to avoid giving up a rebound.
• 26' - Niagara earned a free kick from 20 yards out when Dylan Avila was taken down between two Bronc defenders. Luca Pacheco took the initial shot for the Purple Eagles, and after the ball bounced off and over the wall, Rafael Freitas nodded the ball on target but had his shot saved.
• 50' - The scoreless tie was broken on a Niagara corner kick by Absalom Solorio-Villalpando. The senior captain threaded a pinpoint shot in from the goaltender's right side and found the net on the opposite side for a gorgeous Olimpico.
• 63' - Rodrigo Almeida nearly doubled Niagara's lead when he swung at a high, bouncing shot and turned it on net. If not for an athletic extension by the Rider netminder, Almeida would have buried his sixth goal of the season.
• 74' - Almeida was robbed again on a crossing pass from Pacheco. Pacheco took a feed from Federico Cugge, curled into the box, and set Almeida up for a header in close, but was stopped at the doorstep.
• 85' - Niagara was given another free kick following a hard tackle at the edge of the penalty area. The Purple Eagles got a corner out of it, but Rider swept the ball out and away to nullify the opportunity.
• 93' –Pacheco was fouled as he entered the box, drawing a penalty kick after Niagara had already won two set pieces from just outside the 18. Solorio-Villalpando was charged with taking the attempt. Despite guessing the correct direction, the Rider keeper dove too low to stop the shot, and the Purple Eagles took the game on a golden goal.

 

Can you script a better ending? What a win for ⁦@NiagaraMSOC⁩! Terrific effort all afternoon capped with a well deserved victory. #OnwardtoVictory #PowerofNiagara pic.twitter.com/FnPulytG8Z

— Simon Gray (@NiagaraAD) October 19, 2019

 
Beyond The Boxscore

• The victory gives Niagara (5-8-1, 3-2-1 MAAC) 10 points in conference play and pushed the Purple Eagles past the Broncs to sit in a three-way tie for second place.
• Solorio-Villalpando's brace was the first of his collegiate career. Prior to today, the native of Aguascalientes, Mexico had never scored more than one goal in a season.

 
Up Next

• The Purple Eagles will get right back to it when Yale comes to town on Sunday. Kickoff between Niagara and the Bulldogs will be at 1 p.m.

 
 
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