NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. -- The Mercyhurst men's ice hockey team dropped a 5-4 decision to Atlantic Hockey opponent Niagara during Atlantic Hockey play on Tuesday.
 
Redshirt-junior Jack Riley picked up two goals and an assist on the night while junior Michael Verboom and senior Stephen Hrehoriak recorded single goals. Sophomore Derek Barach made two assists juniors Zach Todd and Jonathan Charbonneau and sophomore Les Lancaster dished one assist apiece.

Niagara's T.J. Sarcona had two goals -- both of which came in the third period -- to break a 3-3 tie. From there, the Purple Eagles held off Mercyhurst for the win.

During the first 20 minutes of play, the Purple Eagles took a 3-0 lead as Vinny Muto, Derian Plouffe and Tyler Hayes scored for NU.
 
Early in the second period, Barach passed the puck to a wide open Jack Riley, who then beat Niagara goaltender Guillaume Therien to get the Lakers on the board. Lancaster tallied the other assist on the goal.
 
Riley then found Verboom in front of the net and Verboom buried the puck for his first goal of the season and to bring the Lakers within one.
 
Ten minutes later, Hrehoriak tied the game at 3-3 off his own rebound. Todd picked up the assist on the tying goal.
 
That set the stage for Sarcona, who gave Niagara a two-goal lead.

Riley pulled the Lakers within one, scoring on the power play and with an extra attacker. Barach and Charbonneau had assists.
 
The Lakers converted on 2-of-5 power plays, while the Purple Eagles converted on 1-of-5 power plays.
 
Mercyhurst junior goalie Brandon Wildung stopped 18 out of 20 shots on net as he played the final two periods in relief of freshman Colin DeAugustine. Therien stopped 34 out of the 38 shots he faced for Niagara.
 
The Lakers are back in action on the road on Friday and Saturday against Bentley for a two-game AHA series. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. both nights.