AMHERST, N.Y. - For nearly 90 minutes the Daemen College men's soccer team battled evenly with No. 20 New York Institute of Technology, but a late goal in the 88th minute broke the hearts of the Wildcats who were bidding for a major upset tonight, and at the very least a draw, in East Coast Conference action, falling 1-0 under the lights at Dimp Wagner Stadium.

NYIT kept their unblemished conference mark intact (8-0-1) while improving to 12-1-1 overall this season.  Daemen dropped its fourth straight to fall to 5-9-0 overall and 2-7-0 in the league.

The winning tally came from NYIT's Javier Gallardo, his third marker of the year at 87:44.  A high pass from Carlos Coto near the top of the box found the head of Alberto Ruiz who helped the ball reach Gallardo who came streaking into the box before he neatly flicked a shot inside the right post.

NYIT controlled the tempo for much of the game, but the Daemen defense limited the Bears to just eight shots on goal out of their 20 total attempts.The back line of goalkeeper Matt Daddario (Amherst, N.Y./Sweet Home), Robert Ralyea (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport), Austin Stephany (Watkins Glen, N.Y./University at Buffalo), Kenny May (Clarence, N.Y./Clarence) and Sam Rugg (Freeville, N.Y./Dryden) stood strong against 10 NYIT corner kicks and numerous free kicks from scoring range.

Daddario made seven saves for the Wildcats.  His counterpart, Liam Waddy, made one save to pick up the win for the nationally-ranked Bears.

Daemen's best scoring opportunity came early in the second half when sophomore Alex Reid (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) broke free up the left side and cut into the box, striking a line drive shot that just ricocheted off an NYIT defender and over the crossbar.

Daemen will close out its 2014 season by hosting perennial ECC power Long Island University Post this Sunday, Nov. 2 at 1:30 p..m.