ITHACA, N.Y. – Despite outshooting its opponent more than two-to-one and putting constant pressure on the opposing defense, the Big Red men's soccer team was beaten by Niagara 3-1 in Cornell's season-opener Friday night at Berman Field. Cornell is now 34-25-8 in season openers since 1964.

The Big Red (0-1), down 2-0 midway through the first half, got a big momentum boost in the 35th minute when sophomore defender Patrick Slogic was on the receiving end of a Jimmy Lannon throw-in. The ball, which Lannon flung into the penalty box, bounced off several players from both sides before landing at Slogic's feet. Slogic reared back, fired, and brought the Big Red within one. The goal, besides being his first and the team's first of the season, was Slogic's first career goal at Cornell.

The comeback, however, was not to be. Cornell's best chance game just 30 seconds into the final half. Sophomore forward Daniel Haber leaped into the air for a crossing pass and hit a header perfectly, but Niagara goalkeeper Brett Petricek nicked it with his fingers and sent it high. Slogic also had a great chance on a header with 27 minutes left in the game, but the ball went right to Petricek for an easy save.

Big Red senior Chase Aaronson had a terrific chance with 21 minutes to go, but Petricek's fingers again kept Cornell off the scoreboard. Aaronson shot low and right, and a diving Petricek nudged just the ball wide.

Cornell was relentless on attack, racking up 18 shots to Niagara's seven. But the Purple Eagles' shots were all on target, and they made the shots count. Senior forward Carl Haworth assisted on Niagara's first two goals and scored their final to put the game away in the 85th minute. Haworth raced through the Big Red defense and chipped a shot over a diving Rick Pflasterer for the insurance marker.

The Purple Eagles (2-1) started fast when, in the 22nd minute, Haworth dribbled the ball down the right side of the field and around the Big Red defense. Pflasterer had no choice but to come out of his net to play the angle, but Haworth found an open man and a passing lane. He found Mike Cunningham, and the junior midfielder simply had to tap the ball into the open net.

Six minutes later, Niagara struck again. Pflasterer got his hands on a shot by junior forward Bryan Da Cruz, but the ball went out of play and earned Niagara a corner kick. Haworth, once again in the center of the Purple Eagles' offense, took the corner kick and found the head of junior midfielder Rene De Zorzi. De Zorzi's aim was true, and Niagara had a 2-0 lead.

The Big Red held a 9-3 advantage in corner kicks, and the teams had an equal number of fouls. Four freshmen saw action in the game, including starts by Matt Mardesich and Conor Goepel.

The Big Red's season continues at home Tuesday night when it takes on Lafayette College out of the Patriot League. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

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