NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – After failing to score a goal in each of its last four games, Niagara (1-5, 0-0 MAAC) exploded for five in its shutout victory over Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Sunday afternoon in non-conference action from Monteagle Ridge.
 
Gerard Lopez Forner netted a brace while Matheus Spina, Felix Kogler and Luca Buscaglia each tallied a goal in the win. Jamie Barry made three saves en route to his first clean sheet of the season.
 
How it Happened
VMI led Niagara in shots through the opening 25 minutes of action, but it would be the Purple Eagles who broke onto the scoreboard first when Spina collected his own rebound and bounced one over the Keydet keeper for the opening marker in the 27th minute.
 
The Purple and White would go up by two less than 10-minutes later when a Kogler free kick rebounded to the Lopez Forner for the goal, giving NU a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
 
The fifth-year striker would get his second tally of the contest in the 73rd minute after a back heel pass from Gianluca Del Priore found the right foot of Lopez Forner to put the Purple and White up 3-0.
 
Niagara's fourth goal of the contest came when Lopez Forner found an unmarked Kogler who had only the keeper to beat in the 76th minute.
 
Buscaglia would put the icing on the cake for NU, as Kogler led the sophomore to an open spot in the 18-yard box for his first career marker.
 
Niagara Notes
• Niagara improves to 2-0 all-time against VMI.
• The Purple Eagles have outscored VMI 8-1 in its two meetings.
• The last time Niagara scored five goals in a game was Oct. 6, 2019 in a 5-1 win over Monmouth.
• Barry's clean sheet is the first of the season and sixth of his career.
• Lopez Forner's is the second Purple Eagle to score a brace for Niagara this season, joining Kogler who did it on Aug. 22 against UAlbany.
• Spina scored his first goal of the season and second of his career.
 
Up Next
Niagara will take on St. Bonaventure on Saturday, Sep. 14 at 7 p.m.. The Little Three matchup will stream live on ESPN+ from Niagara Field.  
 
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