NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure men's soccer team (2-0) defeated Little 3 rival Niagara University Purple Eagles (0-2) by a score of 3-1 on Sunday, Sept. 1. 

SBU senior defender Kolby Banker would get the scoring started in the 11th minute, picking up his first goal of the season when he took the Brad Vanino offering from the corner and headed the ball into the back of the net giving the Bonnies a 1-0 lead. 

Vanino got his second assist of the day at the 18:43 mark when his shot bounced off the post and was redirected to Steve Carcaterro who was there waiting to drill it home for its first career goal. 

Bonaventure was making most of its chances through the first-half by scoring two goals on five shots. Niagara University was able to outshoot the Brown and White eight to five. Bona's took a 2-0 lead at the end of the period. 

St. Bonaventure continued its offensive attack in the second half at the 53rd minute as Nicholas Perillo tallied his second goal on the year. Emmett O'Connor recovered a rebound off the goalkeeper before passing it to Perrillo who tucked it into the net. O'Connor is now currently at 21 career assists, tied for second place all-time. 

The Purple Eagles tried to make things interesting when in the 86th minute Nicholas Watson netted his first goal of the season, cutting the Bonnies lead to 3-1. However, the defense in front of goalkeeper Jeremy Figler kept Niagara off the board for the remainder of the game, earning Figler his second win on this young season. 

"Figler has been a great addition to the team," said Coach Mel Mahler. Figler recorded seven saves on 16 shots he faced and allowing only one goal. 

 "We're excited about our 2-0 start. As a staff we're happy for the boys and proud of how hard they've worked through the preseason and this weekend. Today as we did Friday we worked hard to score early with the goal to set the tempo of the match. We're creating chances and finishing them" continued Mahler.

With the 3-1 victory the Brown and White have scored three goals in two consecutive games. The last time that occurred was in 2006 when the Bonnies defeated both Saint Joseph's and Temple by three goals or more. 

St. Bonaventure is back in action this weekend at the Duquesne Invitational where they face off against Incarnate Word on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. and Howard on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 11 a.m.