SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Sophomore forward Callum Willmott netted two goals for the Niagara men's soccer team en route to the team's 2-1 victory over the Syracuse Orange Friday evening at the SU Soccer Stadium.  

The Purple Eagles (2-0-1), who were ranked fifth in the NSCAA Division I Men’s North Atlantic Poll, scored a goal in the first 10 minutes of each half to solidify their first victory over Syracuse (2-1-0) since 1977.  

"We talked all year about fast starts and putting together a 90-minute battle for a win,” head coach Chase Brooks said.  “Tonight we really saw that come together.  In the first 10 minutes of both halves we scored.  Though we gave up a late second-half goal, we kept out nerve down the stretch and fought for the victory.”

Willmott tallied his second goal of the season on a header off a cross from senior forward Bryan Da Cruz.  The sophomore pounced on a rebound off a shot by sophomore midfielder Jacob Ohlin to net his second goal of the game, and third of the year, giving Niagara the two-goal cushion.  

The Orange's only tally of the game was scored by Tony Asante in the 64th minute from just inside the 18-yard line, but it was not enough to make the comeback.  

"Hopefully we can use this win as a stepping stone and helping us towards conference play in the future,” added Brooks.  

Niagara goalkeeper Brett Petricek registered five saves for his second win of the year.  

Niagara returns to Monteagle Ridge on Sunday, Sept. 2 to battle the Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix at 1 p.m. at Niagara Field.  

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