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The Purple Eagles men's soccer team concludes the 2016 regular season with a matchup against rival Canisius on Wednesday night. With the Battle of the Bridge match slated to kickoff at 7:00 pm, Niagara will look to send off their three seniors with a victory against the cross-town rivals. Niagara has won three of the last five matches between these two teams at Niagara Field, while Canisius heads into Wednesday's contest on a four-match unbeaten run (3-0-1).
 
Last Time Out

• The Purple Eagles scraped out a 1-0 victory over Manhattan on Saturday afternoon.
• In a game filled with physical play from the opening whistle, it was the Purple Eagles who gained early momentum as they finished the half with an 8-2 shot advantage over the Jaspers.
• Niagara had two early chances in the game, first with Zulfikar Karimi who had a shot sail over the bar from 20 yards out. Bautista Pedezert took a set piece from similar positioning seven minutes later but also saw his shot rise over the bar.
• The persistent Purple Eagles finally broke through in the 36^th minute. Fabrizio Chiari beat multiple players on his own on the left sideline before dribbling in towards the box. He played a ball through the backline to a streaking Saiaz Saenz who beat the goalkeeper low far-post.
• Steve Casey made a pair of saves towards the end of the half to help Niagara maintain a 1-0 lead at halftime.
• The Jaspers best chance of the game came in the 72^nd minute when Fabian Burnett rang a header off the crossbar. He took four of Manhattan's nine shots in the half.
• The Jaspers' final opportunity came in the dying seconds of the game as Troy Carrington collected a loose ball inside of Niagara's six yard box but saw his final shot blocked by Borna Juracic.
• Casey recorded his fourth clean sheet of the season.

 
Purple Points

• Freshman Mackenzie Roach leads Niagara in points with seven (two goals, three assists).
• Mbongeni Tshuma and Saiaz Saenz are tied with Roach for the team lead with two goals.
• Saenz has scored the game-winning goal in each of Niagara's last two victories, Oct. 15 at Fairfield and Oct. 29 vs. Manhattan. His two game-winning goals are tied for fifth in the conference.
• Casey has recorded four clean sheets this season, which is tied for third-best in the MAAC. He is ranked seventh in the MAAC in goals-against average (1.42).
• As a team, the Purple Eagles are ranked fourth in the conference in goals allowed (22) and fifth in goals against average (1.35).

 
Zydowicz Named To CoSIDA Academic All-District Men's Soccer First Team

• Niagara senior back Konrad Zydowicz was one of 13 players named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Men's Soccer First Team for District 1.
• Zydowicz has started 14 of 16 matches this season, helping Niagara rank fourth in the MAAC in scoring defense.
• The Rochester native also scored his first career assist Aug. 26 at Robert Morris, and tallied his first career goal Sept. 9 in Niagara's home opener versus NJIT.

 
Scouting the Golden Griffins (8-7-2, 4-3-2 MAAC)

• Canisius comes into Wednesday's match sixth in the MAAC and clinging onto the final playoff spot. The Golden Griffins have won three of their last four, with their only blemish being a 3-3 draw against Siena.
• Niagara leads the all-time series 25-21-4, and the Purple Eagles are 3-1-1 in the last five Battle of the Bridge matches played at Niagara Field.
• The Griffs earned a 1-0 win at home against Fairfield on Saturday thanks to a Stags own goal early in the second half.
• Junior Mathew Santos leads the team with 10 points (two goals, six assists) followed by sophomore Melvin Blair (two goals, four assists).
• Junior Marco Trivellato is tied for third in the MAAC with four shutouts and fourth in the MAAC in save percentage (.808).

 
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