LEWISTON, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure University men's soccer team fell at Little Three rival Niagara, 4-2, Saturday evening.
St. Bonaventure (2-4) controlled much of the contest and led 2-0 late, but Niagara scored four times between the 78th and 84th minute to surge ahead and claim the win.
Bona's jumped ahead early in the second half when Andres Javitt created a chance that caromed off a Niagara defender and into the goal in the 52nd minute.
Rashid Aroza netted his first goal of the season off a pass from Will O'Connor in the 60th minute, giving the Bonnies a commanding 2-0 lead.
The hosts offense came to life in the 78th minute, netting four goals over the next six minutes and flipping momentum completely in their favor.
Niagara (2-5) got on the board first on a penalty kick from Felix Kogler in the 78th minute.
Gerard Forner then registered a natural hat-trick, scoring goals in the 81st, 82nd and 84th minutes, giving Niagara the victory.
The Bonnies and Purple Eagles were scoreless heading into halftime.Â
Mo Tall had the first chance on net for the Brown and White in the 15th minute, but his shot was turned away by Niagara goalkeeper Jamie Berry.Â
Daniel Helle tried his luck in the 21st minute. Berry, however, was there to make the stop.Â
Just moments later in the 24th minute, Umechi Akuazaoku looked to have the first goal of the game but was called offside.
Berry was forced to make another save in the 34th minute when Aroza snuck a low shot through a crowded box, keeping the Bonnies off the board.
Javitt sent a free kick into the box in the 37th minute, finding the foot of Mattia Ferretti whose shot went just wide of the goal.Â
Aroza registered a game-high six shots while Keegan Dawson added a pair. Xaver Ehrlich, Gabriel Addo, Dean Mercer, Luc Finelli, Neshawn Sutherland and Akuazaoku also tallied a shot apiece.
In net, Nicolas Pucci matched his season-high with six saves.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH KWAME ODURO
"I thought we played really well for the majority of the game until the last 15 minutes. That was a tough way to lose. We must learn from this and move on to the next game."
UP NEXT
The Bonnies return home for the first time since Aug. 22 when they host Le Moyne Wednesday, Sept. 18. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m. at the Marra Athletics Complex.
---
For the latest news on St. Bonaventure athletics, stay connected on social media. Follow the Bonnies on X @GoBonnies and get men's soccer updates @BonniesMSoccer. Keep up with the Bonnies on Facebook /GoBonnies and on Instagram @GoBonnies. Bonnies Men's Soccer can be found on Instagram @bonniesmsoccer
