NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men's soccer team closed out non-conference play with a decisive 3-1 victory over rival St. Bonaventure on Tuesday evening. The Purple Eagles scored three times in the first half and limited the Bonnies to just four shots on net.
 
Match Moments

• 12' – A charging Rafael Freitas was fouled outside the right corner of Bonnies' box. The ensuing free kick missed its target and was cleared on a subsequent goal kick.
• 18' – Rodrigo Almeida opened the scoring off a long free kick from Matthew Krucko-Moeller. Almeida got his fourth strike of the season by getting a head on the ball and directing it high and under the crossbar.
• 29' – Luca Pacheco restored the Niagara lead with a right-footed goal in the midst of a scramble. Dylan Avila set the score up and Pacheco hammered it home to make it 2-1.
• 35' – Avila added to his point total with a goal of his own just six minutes later. With the Bonnies possessing deep in their own end, a pass from the right back into the penalty area was intercepted by the streaking sophomore and coolly slotted past the desperate goalkeeper to put the score at 3-1.
• 62' – Mackenzie Roach nearly made it 4-1 but sent his ball past the flailing goalie and right of the net.
• 87' – Luigi Boa Morte curled a gorgeous ball around his defender but watched it land firmly in the hands of the goalkeeper.

Beyond The Boxscore

• The last time Niagara scored three times in the first half was a road game at Robert Morris to open the 2016 season. The Purple Eagles swarmed the Colonials en route to a 4-0 victory in Bill Boyle's first game as the team's head coach.
• This was the first time Niagara scored three first half goals at home since a 4-4 draw with La Salle on September 18, 2010.

Coach's Corner

• Head coach Bill Boyle: "So proud of these guys to bounce back after that nightmare in New Hampshire. They worked on fixing some problems and were rewarded for their efforts, but we will keep on getting better at all the little things. It was great to get Luca and Dylan going and to see Rodrigo keep scoring. And a big credit to our back line as well. It was a full team effort."

Up Next

• A home affair with Marist awaits Niagara on October 2. The Purple Eagles will open up MAAC play against the Red Foxes at 4 p.m.

 
 
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