AMHERST, N.Y. - A combined six-goal outburst in the second half exclimated a wild season finale for the Daemen College men's soccer team as they dropped a 5-3 decision to visiting University of Bridgeport in East Coast Conference action at a breezy Dimp Wagner Stadium this afternoon.

With the loss, Daemen ends their season at 2-13-1 overall, including an 0-9-1 mark in ECC play.  UB, playing today for a chance to clinch a berth in the upcoming ECC Tournament, improves to 10-6-0 overall, and 6-4-0 in the league.  The Purple Knights now await the result today between Roberts Wesleyan College and Dowling College in Rochester, N.Y., needing Dowling to lose or tie to clinch the fourth and final berth for the conference tourney.

Luka Ivanovic led the Purple Knights today, recording a hat trick to give him 10 goals on the season, which ties him for third in amongst all ECC players.

Ivanovic put the guests ahead early, scoring his first goal of the game at the 12:33 mark.  Daemen goalkeeper Justin Figler (Grand Island, N.Y./Grand Island) deflected an initial shot attempt from UB off the cross bar, but Ivanovic was Johnny-on-the-spot, using his head to knock the ball to the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

Later, at the 31:10 mark, UB got on the board again, this time getting a goal from Kylde Jacques.  Jacques took a pass from Rafael Torres up the right side into the box where he sent a low, hard shot inside the near post.

But, Daemen came roaring back in a hurry in the second half.  An own goal at the 61:22 mark got the Wildcats on the board as a crossing feed off the foot of Alex Reid (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) deflected off a UB defender and past goalkeeper Daniel Coviella, cutting the two-goal deficit in half.  Less than two minutes later, at the 62:55 mark, senior Frank Poppolo (Brampton, Ont./West Virginia Wesleyan College) netted the equalizer.  Poppolo's initial shot attempt was saved by Coviella, but the 6-foot-3 forward kept at it and muscled the ball through defenders and over the goal line, setting off a raucous celebration in the stands.

But, the tie wouldn't last long as UB went back ahead just over a minute later, the first of three-straight goals for the visitors.  Erick Romero carried the ball moving to his left and sent a shot back across the grain from the top of the box that made its way inside the right post, putting UB ahead 3-2 at the 63:58 mark.

Then Ivanovic would register back-to-back tallies to give the Purple Knights some breathing room. The first came at the 68:28 mark when Ivanovic got free on a set play, taking a feed from Romero off a free kick and finding the back of the net.  Then, Daemen was whistled for a foul in the box on a UB corner kick opportunity at the 74:37 mark, and Ivanovic made good on the ensuing penalty kick to give the Purple Knights a 5-2 lead.

But, Daemen had some fight left, and the Wildcats would close the gap to 5-3 when Poppolo scored his second of the game.  Poppolo one-timed a crossing feed from Reid past Fabio Junior who had relieved Coviella in goal.

But, that closed the scoring as Daemen could draw no closer in the waning moments.

With goals flying on the board left and right, sloppy play marred an otherwise entertaining half as the team's combined for six yellow cards and a red card in the period.

Daemen outshot the Purple Knights 20-15 in the contest, but UB was incredibly efficient, placing 12 of its attempts on frame.  Figler and Coviella each turned aside six shots for their respective teams in goal.  Figler, who played every second of every game this season, ended the year with 88 saves, ranking second in the ECC presently.

Today's game marked the final competition in the career of Poppolo and his classmates, Robert Ralyea (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) and Kenny May (Clarence, N.Y./Clarence).  Poppolo's two goals today give him three for his two-year Daemen career.  Ralyea and May have both been ever-present figures in the Daemen backfield for the last four seasons, combining for 118 appearances.  All three players were honored in a pre-game ceremony today.