Nov. 2, 2006
Fairfield, Conn. - Saint Peter's College advanced to the title game of the 2006 MAAC Men's Soccer Championship with a 3-0 win over Niagara University in the first semifinal game of the tournament at Lessing Field on the campus of Fairfield University.
The third-seeded Peacocks got on the scoreboard just over eight minutes into the game as junior forward Murphy Wiredu headed in his ninth goal of the season with assistance from senior defender Alano Groves. Saint Peter's then upped the score again with just over 17 minutes left in the first half as senior midfielder Marco Orias found the back of the net for the fourth time this year, with help from Wiredu.
Junior forward Juan Gaviria, the 2006 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year, then sealed the victory for the Peacocks by netting a shot right into the middle of the net with 11:23 remaining in the contest.
Matthew Lawlor recorded his fourth shutout of the season, posting six saves for Saint Peter's. Niagara's John Fiutowski recorded five saves for the second-seeded Purple Eagles. Saint Peter's is now 10-7-2 overall, while Niagara closed out its season at 7-7-4.
Saint Peter's will play the winner of the Fairfield University/Loyola College second semifinal game this evening. The winner of the 2006 MAAC Men's Soccer Championship will earn an automatic bid to the 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.
Scoring: Saint Peter's - Murphy Wiredu (Alano Groves) 8:11, Marco Orias (Wiredu) 27:33, Juan Gaviria (unassisted) 78:37
Saves: Saint Peter's - Matthew Lawlor 6; Niagara - John Fiutowski 5
Shots: Saint Peter's 19, Niagara 11
Corner Kicks: Saint Peter's 5, Niagara 1
Fouls: Niagara 16, Saint Peter's 9
Yellow Cards: Niagara 1, Saint Peter's 0
