MIAMI, Fl. – In the second game of the team's Florida road trip, the Niagara men's soccer team gutted out a 0-0 draw at Florida International. The Purple Eagles gave up 20 shots to the Panthers, who opened the 2016 season ranked No. 23 in the NCAA, but only three of those shots were on goal. Steve Casey made three first-half saves for the clean sheet as the Purple Eagles hold a 1-1-1 record heading into their home opener this Friday night.
 
Game Summary

• Final Score: Niagara 0, Florida International 0
• Niagara Goal Scorers: n/a
• Niagara Assists: n/a
• In Goal: Steve Casey (1-1-1); 0 GA, 3 SV, SO
• Records: Niagara (1-1-1), Florida International (2-1-1)
• Location: FIU Soccer Stadium – Miami, Fl.
• Attendance: 260

 
Game Recap

• The Panthers' attack managed possession for the majority of the first half, as Niagara was outshot 8-1 through 45 minutes of play.
• Steve Casey made three saves in the opening half of the match.
• Casey had to make a point-blank save on Florida International's Darren Rios at the 18-minute mark, denying the Panthers attacker who streaked on goal from the right wing.
• Bautista Pedezert had the best chance of the first half for Niagara. The sophomore was set up for a strike from about 12 yards out, but he missed the net attempting to beat the keeper short-side.
• In the second half, Niagara was outshot 6-1 and allowed 11 corner kicks by Florida International, but neither side was able to put a shot on goal.
• Zulfikar Karimi had the lone shot of the second half for Niagara, ripping a shot from the top of the box that sailed wide to the right.
• The Purple Eagles were outshot 6-0 in the overtime period, but no shots were put on goal.

 
Coach's Corner

• Head coach Bill Boyle: "I can't be more proud of this group! Guys at home that couldn't come down, and everyone here. It's hard enough to get a point on the second day, and in this heat these guys gutted it out. We can play much better offensively, but defensively we were tough today."

 
Inside the Numbers

• Niagara's defense has given up just one goal in 290 minutes of play through three matches.
• Of the 35 shots generated against the Purple Eagles this season, only eight have been put on goal (22.9 percent). At the other end, Niagara has 19 shots this season, 10 of which were on goal (52.6 percent).
• Goalkeeper Steve Casey earned his second clean sheet of the season (fourth career) at Florida International. He has a 0.31 goals-against average and .875 save percentage this season.

 
Up Next

• With a three-game season-opening road trip now completed, Niagara plays three consecutive matches on home field.
• The Purple Eagles' home opener is this Friday, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. against the NJIT Highlanders.