NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Niagara (4-7-3, 3-1-2 MAAC) dropped its midweek road match on Wednesday, Oct. 19 to Iona (4-3-4, 3-0-3 MAAC) by the final score of 2-1.
Rodrigo Almeida found the back of the net for the Purple Eagles in the loss.
Game Recap
First Half
• Niagara's
Gabriel Mikina had a shot stopped by Juan Monge in the 17th minute to keep the game scoreless.
•
Cameron Roach tried to square up the rebound of Mikina's initial shot but his attempt sailed high.
• In the 29th minute Iona found the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead over Niagara.
• Five minutes later,
Josh Savoni would keep an Iona attempt out of the net to keep NU within one.
• Niagara wouldn't threaten the Iona keeper for the remainder of the half, going into the break down a goal.
Second Half
•
Ali Alomari took a shot in the 54th but it went high, keeping the score where it was.
•
Rodrigo Almeida had a shot attempt blocked in the 60th minute before connecting with
Stephen Hasse in the 64th minute to tie the game at 1-1.
• The Gaels would beat Savoni in the 68th minute of play to regain its one goal lead over NU, 2-1.
• Niagara took eight shots after conceding the goal to Iona, with a pair of shots saved by the Iona keeper.
• In the 70th minute Almeida put another chance on target but couldn't beat the Iona goalie.
•
Kevin Payne had a shot saved in the 79th minute, keeping NU down by one.
Head Coach Bill Boyle's Post Match Comments:
"It was a tough loss for our group as we badly wanted to pick up another road win. Credit to Iona, they gave us some things to work on here in the latter part of the season. I am proud that our guys didn't quit as we had some chances to tie it after conceding one in the 70th minute."
Niagara Notes
• The Purple Eagles drop to 15-17-1 all-time against Iona.
• Niagara had its unbeaten streak to begin league play come to an end with the loss.
• Almeida scored his sixth goal of the season, which ranks first on the team and third most in the conference.
• Hasse recorded his eighth assist of the season, which is second best in the MAAC.
• Hasse is one assist away from entering Niagara's top-five assist leaders for a single season. Joe Casucci registered nine helpers in 1969.
Up Next
• Niagara will return to Niagara Field on Saturday, Oct. 22 for a 1 p.m. contest with Fairfield.
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