NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Niagara opened conference action with a 1-0 loss to Iona on Saturday, Sep. 16 at Niagara Field.
 
The Purple and White fall to 0-6-1 on the season and 0-1 in MAAC play, while Iona improves to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in league action.
 
How it Happened
After missing on his first shot attempt of the contest, Camil Azzam Ruiz beat Jamie Barry and the Niagara back line for the opening brace in the 12th minute of action.
 
Niagara would put the pressure on the Iona defense over the next 20-minutes of action, taking five shots, including a free kick shot from Felix Kogler that pressured the Gael goalie in the 32nd minute.
 
Iona would attempt to extend its lead but both shot attempts from the Gaels in the final five minutes of the first half, were off target.
 
The Gaels would take four shots to start the second, none of which threatened Barry in net.
 
In the 69th reshman Dominic Cintra put the Purple Eagles first shot on goal since that Kogler free kick in the first half. Cintra's effort was a solid one, but met by the Iona goalie.
 
A foul just outside the 18-yard box late in the second half gave NU a prime opportunity to find the equalizer. Kogler lined up for the free kick and shot one into the Gael wall, followed by a shot over the net from Gianluca Del Priore.
 
Del Priore would take Niagara's final shot, but Iona would hold on for the 1-0 win.
 
Niagara Notes
• Niagara moves to 15-17-1 all-time against Iona dating back to 1990.
• Barry made one save on two shots faced.
• Iona's two shots on goal were the fewest by a Niagara opponent this season.
 
Up Next
Niagara will be back in action next Saturday, Sep. 23 with a 7 p.m. road match with the Marist Red Foxes in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
 
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