NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men's soccer team opened MAAC play with a 1-0 shutout victory over the Marist Red Foxes. It is the second-straight win for Niagara and the first win for the team to open conference play since 2016.

Match Moments

• 17' – Absalom Solorio-Villalpando took the first shot for the Purple Eagles, but it missed its target. The Purple Eagles took two more shots in the first half, but neither hit their mark.
• 44' – Back-to-back shots in the bottom left corner of the net as the Red Foxes swarmed towards the net were both saved by Josh Savoni, including an athletic diving save to stop the second shot from hitting its mark.
• 65' – After a Marist throw-in, Niagara gained possession of the ball but Marist quickly regained possession after a long pass from the Purple Eagles went astray, but the Red Foxes' goalie muffed the ball on a pass back, leaving a wide open net for Rodrigo Almeida, who tapped the ball in for his fifth goal of the season.
• 89' – Marist had its last chance late in the game, with a shot right to the bottom center of the net, but Savoni fell right on the ball to make the save.

Beyond the Box Score

• This is Niagara's first shutout victory in the regular season since the Purple Eagles defeated Saint Peter's, 2-0, on Oct. 7, 2017.
• This is the first time the Purple Eagles have won back-to-back games since the 2014 season when Niagara defeated Buffalo, 2-1, on Sept. 12 and St. Bonaventure, 1-0, on Sept. 14.

Coach's Corner

• Head coach Bill Boyle: "It is great to get off to a 1-0 start in this league and our guys understand the importance of every point; they are buying into their roles and accepting whatever that might be game to game. Those are the beginning traits of guys that want to win championships. I am very proud of them for staying composed and for getting a clean sheet. Well done to Josh Savoni; both of our goalkeepers are very good and have handled the competition tremendously."

Up Next

• The Purple Eagles take on Monmouth in West Long Branch, N.J. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2:00 p.m.

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