GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Despite outshooting Niagara (4-1-1) 20-6, the Purple Eagles' defense was just too much for the Green Bay (2-2-1) men's soccer team as it was shut out 2-0 in its home opener at Aldo Santaga Stadium Friday. The game was part of the Green Bay Soccer Classic.

"I felt that we played well the first 10-15 minutes of the game but we just couldn't match Niagara's intensity," said head coach Kris Kelderman. "Niagara is a very hard competing team and we didn't match their intensity and it cost us two goals."

Niagara's Carl Haworth had one goal and one assist as the Purple Eagles scored both of its goals in the first half. The first came in the 14th minute after a shot rebounded off the cross bar for the 1-0 goal.

"I thought their first goal was a very soft goal," said Kelderman. "I want us to be a team that is difficult to play against and not give up goals like that."

With 48 seconds remaining, Haworth beat Ryan Wehking (St. Louis, Mo.) one-on-one for the 2-0 advantage at the break as Green Bay outshot Niagara 7-4.

The Phoenix finished the game with four shots on goal and had really good looks in the second half. With 24:15 remaining Sam Krenzien (Wauwatosa, Wis.) made a great shot toward the middle of the goal but Niagara keeper Brett Petricek was able to come up with the quick save. Alonso Flores (Chicago, Ill.) shot the rebound but was wide right.

"I thought we came out with a lot more energy and fight in the second half but we were just missing that final pass and final shot," Kelderman said. "We're a young team, we're a new team and we had a wake-up call tonight."

Green Bay had seven corner kicks while Niagara had one as the aggressive contest prompted six yellow cards.

Looking Ahead: The Phoenix will look to rebound Sunday as it wraps up the Green Bay Soccer Classic against Dayton (1-5-0) at 12 p.m. at Aldo Santaga Stadium. Both teams will be looking for their first wins and goals in the tournament as the Flyers fell 1-0 to Eastern Illinois University Friday.

Follow the Action Live: To watch the Phoenix compete in the Green Bay Soccer Classic, click here. To follow live stats during both of Sunday's games, click here.

###

Season tickets and Fall Sports Passes are now on sale for men's soccer, as well as women's soccer and volleyball. Season tickets for each sport are available for $25 each, or a Fall Sports Pass can be purchased for admission to all three sports for just $50 for an adult and $25 for a youth pass. For more information and an order form, click here.