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The Niagara men's soccer team plays its final road game of the 2016 regular season Wednesday afternoon against the Marist Red Foxes. The Purple Eagles are currently ninth in the MAAC at 2-5 in conference play (3-10-1 overall), but they have a chance to move up the standings, starting against fourth-place Marist (9-5-1, 4-3 MAAC) Opening kickoff between the Purple Eagles and Red Foxes is set for 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
 
Last Time Out

• Niagara endured a tough home loss to the Iona Gaels last Saturday night, dropping a 3-1 decision at Niagara Field.
• The two teams fought for possession over the first 20 minutes, with Navid Rahman and Saiaz Saenz putting shots on goal for the Purple Eagles.
• In the 24th minute, however, it was Iona's Marcos Nunez who scored the first goal of the game. Daniel Huertas volleyed a pass into the box that Nunez buried past Niagara goalkeeper Steve Casey.
• The Gaels doubled their lead in the 61st minute, as Oscar Gonzalez beat a Niagara defender in the box and found Teddy Forson on the far side for the goal.
• Mbongeni Tshuma got Niagara on the board in the 76th minute. Mackenzie Roach headed a ball in the box back out to Tshuma, and he hammered a shot home to the far side past Iona goalkeeper Julian Petrello.
• Daniel Ocala scored a goal in the final seven minutes for Iona to regain the two-goal lead that held up through 90 minutes of play.

 
Purple Points

• Niagara ranks sixth in the MAAC in scoring defense this season, giving up 1.43 goals per game. The team is also fifth in the conference with a clean sheet in 21 percent of their matches, and they rank sixth in team save percentage at .722.
• A pair of freshmen lead the Purple Eagles in scoring this season. Mackenzie Roach (two goals, two assists) has six points, while Mbongeni Tshuma (two goals, one assist) has five points.
• Bautista Pedezert has a team-high 15 shots this season, while Shiquan Lowe leads Niagara with seven shots on goal.
• Goalkeeper Steve Casey, after missing the 2015 season due to injury, has started 13 of 14 matches this season for Niagara, recording a 1.49 goals-against average, .708 save percentage, and three clean sheets.

 
Across the Pitch: Marist Red Foxes (9-5-1, 4-3-0 MAAC)

• Marist enters Wednesday's match after winning three of their last five matches. The Red Foxes earned shutout victories over Manhattan and Saint Peter's last weekend.
• Marist leads the MAAC and ranks 13th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 2 goals per game.
• Cameron Harr is tied for the NCAA lead with 16 goals this season, adding one assist to lead Marist scorers with 33 points.
• Mark Rajovic has played every minute in goal for the Red Foxes, earning a 1.24 goals-against average and .787 save percentage.

 
Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for men's soccer updates, follow @NiagaraSoccer. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.