NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. - In its highest scoring effort of the season, the St. Bonaventure men's soccer team picked up its third consecutive win in a 3-1 victory against Niagara at Niagara Field on Sunday afternoon.

The Brown and White enter Atlantic 10 play on a three-game winning streak for the first time since head coach Mel Mahler joined the program in 2005. With the win, St. Bonaventure improves to 4-4 overall and Niagara drops to 2-6-1.

"It's a great road win. We're moving in the right direction as we enter conference play," said Mahler. "We've been able to create scoring opportunities as well as finish them."

The first goal of the game came just 15 minutes into the first half off a touch from senior Sam Maheu and a long cross from classmate Joe Miller to Tyler Bellamy who headed it past Niagara goalie John Fiutowski. Bellamy nets his first goal of his senior season.

The Bonnies continued the offensive attack in the 51st minute, using a blocked shot from Maheu, to continue pressure in the box. Junior Brett Allen rounded up the loose ball, to secure the game off of a long shot from outside the box to the far post and put the Bonnies up, 2-0.

The Brown and White added to their second half attack going up, 3-0 in the 67th minute. Junior Kevin Okapal passed to Maheu who dribbled around the keeper to notch his team-best sixth goal of the season.

Niagara tried to match St. Bonaventure's intensity, but would only see one goal on the board when Stephen Kauble scored off a penalty kick.

The Purple Eagles applied offensive pressure throughout the game building a 18-13 shot advantage, firing 13 shots in the second half, but junior goalkeeper David Flynn was on alert picking up three saves. Niagara also led in corner kicks 8-5, but went offsides seven times compared to the Bonnies one.

St. Bonaventure returns home to prepare for a pair of Atlantic 10 games at McGraw-Jennings Field. The Bonnies take on Fordham on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and then play La Salle on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

"We know we have more work to do to get ready for Friday's match," said Mahler. "Winning our last three games have helped our confidence and we are anxious to begin our A-10 matches."