Poughkeepsie, N.Y. - The Niagara University Purple Eagles extended the team's overall record to 12-1-4 with a win over the Siena College Saints in the 2012 MAAC Men's Soccer Championship semifinal Thursday evening. The Saints were the only team to beat Niagara during the regular season. This time the Purple Eagles came out on top. More importantly, the victory will send the team to the MAAC Championship final on Saturday evening. The match will be broadcasted live on ESPN 3 beginning at 8pm.
The score remained 0-0 for the first half and well into the second half until the Purple Eagles took the lead at the 77:52 mark. Sophomore, back Roberto Andersson scored the first goal assisted by freshman midfielder Darren Cooper.
Less than one minute later at the 78:17 mark, the Saints' midfielder Matt Hemsley buried a shot low with an assist from midfielder James Beeston to tie the game 1-1 and eventually put the game into overtime.
The winning goal came 15 seconds into overtime; Niagara's Cooper chipped the ball over the goal keeper with assists from Nick Garcia and Callum Willmott to give the Purple Eagles sudden victory.
Brett Petricek recorded four saves between the pipes for the Purple Eagles. Liesemann closed out the season with five saves for the Saints.
Niagara will play the winner of the tournament's second semifinal featuring the
top-seeded Loyola University Maryland Greyhounds versus the fourth-seeded Iona College
Gaels. The winner of the Championship
Final match will earn an automatic bid to the 2012 NCAA Men's College Cup.
|
Game 1: |
1st |
2nd |
OT |
|
Siena (10-7 overall) |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Niagara (12-1-4 overall) |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Scoring: Niagara - Roberto Andersson (Darren Cooper) 77:52; Siena - Matt Hemsley (James Beeston) 78:17, Darren Cooper (Nick Garcia and Callum Willmott) 90:15.
Saves: Niagara- Brett Petricek 4; Siena - Damian Liesemann 5
Shots: Siena 15, Niagara 12
Corner Kicks: Siena 11, Niagara
6
Fouls: Siena 13, Niagara 7
Offsides: Siena 3, Niagara 2
Yellow Cards: Siena 1
