Saturday, October 17
Niagara Falls, NY
4:00 PM
Sacred Heart
2-5-6, 0-2-3
2
at
3
Niagara
3-5-3, 2-2-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacred Heart | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Niagara | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Photo by: Daniel Boye
Sacred Heart Drops Tight Match at Niagara
10/17/2026 6:45:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Subtitle: Pioneers rally with two first-half goals, but Niagara's three-goal run proves decisive in 3-2 setback
NIAGARA, N.Y. - The Sacred Heart University men's soccer team traveled to Niagara University for a Metro Conference match on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers scored just over a minute into the first half, before both teams were shut out in the second.Â
Records:
Sacred Heart: 2-5-6 (0-2-3 Metro)
Niagara: 3-5-3 (2-2-2 Metro)
Top Performers:
1. Danny Istambouli - 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 shots on goal
2. Daniel Losfablos - 1 goal, 2 shots on goal
3. Aidan Hawk - 1 assist, 2 shots on goal
Between the Pipes:
SHU: Anthony Suarez (1-4-5) - 3 goals-against | 4 saves
Niagara: Grant Wyles - 2 goals-against | 11 saves
How it Happened:
The Pioneers came out aggressively in the first half, opening with six shots, three being on frame. Sacred Heart needed just 1:05 to find the back of the net. Istambouli played the ball to Hawk before making a run into the box, where he recieved Hawk's cross and headed it home for his third goal of the season, and second in two games. His goal gave the Pioneers an early 1-0 advantage.
Niagara responded in the 13th minute, converting a penalty kick to even the score at 1-1. The Purple Eagles added two more goals at 13:38 and 14:49 to take a 3-1 lead in a span of just over two minutes.Â
Sacred Heart continued to push forward and cut the deficit to one in the 39th minute. Istambouli delivered a free kick from outside the 18-yard box into the penalty area, where Losfablos rose to head it home for his first goal of the season, making it a 3-2 contest heading into halftime.
The Pios controlled much of the offensive action in the second half, out-shooting Niagara 11-4 while holding the Purple Eagles scoreless. Sacred Heart generated several opportunities to find the equalizer, but Niagara goalkeeper Grant Wyles turned aside all eight second-half shots on goal to preserve his team's lead.Â
Despite the push in the second half, the Pioneers were unable to get back on the board as Niagara held on for the 3-2 victory.
Of Note:
The Pioneers head home to host Saint Peter's in a rescheduled match on October 21, with kickoff slated for 7 PM
Records:
Sacred Heart: 2-5-6 (0-2-3 Metro)
Niagara: 3-5-3 (2-2-2 Metro)
Top Performers:
1. Danny Istambouli - 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 shots on goal
2. Daniel Losfablos - 1 goal, 2 shots on goal
3. Aidan Hawk - 1 assist, 2 shots on goal
Between the Pipes:
SHU: Anthony Suarez (1-4-5) - 3 goals-against | 4 saves
Niagara: Grant Wyles - 2 goals-against | 11 saves
How it Happened:
The Pioneers came out aggressively in the first half, opening with six shots, three being on frame. Sacred Heart needed just 1:05 to find the back of the net. Istambouli played the ball to Hawk before making a run into the box, where he recieved Hawk's cross and headed it home for his third goal of the season, and second in two games. His goal gave the Pioneers an early 1-0 advantage.
Niagara responded in the 13th minute, converting a penalty kick to even the score at 1-1. The Purple Eagles added two more goals at 13:38 and 14:49 to take a 3-1 lead in a span of just over two minutes.Â
Sacred Heart continued to push forward and cut the deficit to one in the 39th minute. Istambouli delivered a free kick from outside the 18-yard box into the penalty area, where Losfablos rose to head it home for his first goal of the season, making it a 3-2 contest heading into halftime.
The Pios controlled much of the offensive action in the second half, out-shooting Niagara 11-4 while holding the Purple Eagles scoreless. Sacred Heart generated several opportunities to find the equalizer, but Niagara goalkeeper Grant Wyles turned aside all eight second-half shots on goal to preserve his team's lead.Â
Despite the push in the second half, the Pioneers were unable to get back on the board as Niagara held on for the 3-2 victory.
Of Note:
- Sacred Heart out-shot Niagara 17-9, including a 13-7 advantage in shots on goal
- Danny Istambouli recorded a goal and an assist, while Aidan Hawk added an assist on the opening goal
- Daniel Losfablos scored his first goal of the season
The Pioneers head home to host Saint Peter's in a rescheduled match on October 21, with kickoff slated for 7 PM
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerTeam Stats
SHU
NIA
Goals
2
3
Shots
17
9
Shots on Goal
13
7
Saves
4
11
Corners
5
2
Fouls
14
11
Scoring Plays
Danny Istambouli (3)
Assisted By: Aidan Hawk
GOAL by SHU Istambouli, Danny Assist by Hawk, Aidan.
01:05
Tommy Mittelstadt (2)
NIA Tommy Mittelstadt PENALTY KICK GOAL.
12:40
Reon Tezuka (2)
Assisted By: Chase Dade
GOAL by NIA Tezuka, Reon Assist by Dade, Chase.
13:38
Chase Dade (2)
Assisted By: David Silva
GOAL by NIA Dade, Chase Assist by Silva, David.
14:49
Daniel Losfablos (1)
Assisted By: Danny Istambouli
GOAL by SHU Losfablos, Daniel Assist by Istambouli, Danny.
38:08
Game Leaders
Shots
5
SOG
4
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
def
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
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