NIAGARA UNIV., NY – Niagara (2-7-3, 2-2-2 MAAC) upset MAAC leading Manhattan (5-5-2, 5-1-0 MAAC) Saturday afternoon, handing the Jaspers their first loss in league play this season with a 1-0 decision at Niagara Field.
 
Junior Felix Kogler scored the game-winning goal for Niagara in the 68th minute of play.
 
How it Happened
The Jaspers controlled much of the game, outshooting Niagara 20-7, including 7-4 on shots on goal. In the first half, Manhattan took six shots, two of which were on target, while NU took five shots with two on target.
 
Kogler would take four of Niagara's five shots in the first half, with one going on target in the 12th minute, while Dominic Cintra's lone shot of the half was saved by the Manhattan keeper in the 28th minute of action.
 
On the other end, Jamie Barry saw four shots in the first 15-minutes of the half, gathering one save. Barry would make his second save of the half in the 43rd mintute, stopping a shot to his right.
 
The Jaspers came out firing in the second half, recording six shots by the 65-minute mark, two of which Barry had to contend with.
 
Niagara's first shot of the second half found the back of the net as Matheus Spina sent a cross into the box that found the head of Kogler for the tally.
 
Barry would then make a trio of saves in a two-minute span, keeping the unbeaten Jaspers off the board through 74-minutes as the Jaspers looked to find the equalizer.
 
Gianluca Del Priore nearly found the back of the net in the 85th minute, but his shot was stopped by the Manhattan goalie.
 
Manhattan would move all 11 men into their half of the field in the final minutes, looking to earn a tie, but the Niagara back line stood tall, keeping the Jaspers off the board as the clock hit zero.

Head Coach Bill Boyle's Postgame Quote
"I am very happy for our young team to finally get a win at home. As our captains Asher Barnes and Cameron Roach stated after the game, the team was finally rewarded for its hard work and earned a complete win."
 
Niagara Notes
• Niagara improves to 13-17-4 all-time against Manhattan.
•  The Purple Eagles recorded a team-high eight corners Saturday afternoon.
• Barry earned his second consecutive clean sheet and third overall on the season. The sophomore has recorded seven games with five or more saves.
• Kogler found the back of the net for his team-leading third goal of the season. The goal also ended NU's 261 minutes scoreless streak.
• Spina's assist was his first as a Purple Eagle. The transfer now has three points on the season.
• Niagara's win is its first at home this season and first at Niagara Field since Nov. 1, 2022 against Quinnipiac. 
 
Up Next
Niagara travels to Lawrenceville, NJ for a 1 p.m. match with Rider next Saturday.
 
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