Sept. 9 vs. NJIT: Live Video | Live Stats
Sept. 11 vs. Saint Francis: Live Video | Live Stats

The Niagara men's soccer team concluded a difficult road trip to Florida with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Florida Atlantic and a scoreless draw against Florida International, who started the season as a top-25 team in the NCAA.
 
Now 1-1-1 on the season, the Purple Eagles return to the friendly confines of Niagara Field for three straight matches. Niagara's home opener is Friday, Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. against the NJIT Highlanders. The Purple Eagles also host the Saint Francis Red Flash on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m.
 
Friday's match is set to be televised locally on LCTV, and both matches can be streamed live through PurpleEagles.com here.
 
Last Time Out

• In their first game of last weekend at Florida Atlantic, the Purple Eagles took a scoreless match into the 68th minute before the Owls scored to secure a 1-0 win over Niagara.
• FAU's Jason Fitzgerald scored off of a sliding play where he buried a pass to the left side of the goal box.
• Only three shots were put on goal in the match, with FAU holding the 2-1 edge over Niagara. The Purple Eagles had five total shots in the loss.
• On Sunday, Steve Casey secured his second clean sheet in three matches, making three saves in a 0-0 draw at Florida International.
• All three of Casey's saves came in the first half, including a point-blank denial from the right wing in the 18th minute.
• Bautista Pedezert and Zulfikar Karimi had shots for the Purple Eagles in the match, but neither was able to find a game-deciding goal.

 
Purple Points

• The Purple Eagles boast the top scoring defense in the MAAC, ranking 12th in the NCAA with a 0.31 goals-against average.
• Steve Casey had played all 290 minutes in goal for Niagara, allowing just one goal while making seven saves. His .875 save percentage ranks third in the conference and 21st in the nation.
• After scoring two goals in the season opener at Robert Morris, Mackenzie Roach is fourth in the conference with 0.67 goals per game.
• Of the 35 shots generated against the Purple Eagles this season, only eight have been put on goal (22.9 percent). At the other end, Niagara has 19 shots this season, 10 of which were on goal (52.6 percent).

 
Across the Pitch: New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders (2-1-1)

• Niagara and NJIT will square off in the first home game at Niagara Field in 2016.
• On Sept. 11, 2015 at NJIT, Niagara held a 2-0 lead before the Highlanders tied the game in the 90th minute and scored again in the 93rd minute for the overtime winner.
• Last year's match was the first-ever matchup between these two schools.
• NJIT opened up the 2016 season with consecutive 1-0 victories over Fairleigh Dickinson and Manhattan and a 1-1 draw at George Washington. In their Sept. 6 home opener against Rider, the Highlanders suffered their first loss of the season by a score of 1-0.
• Rene White has scored two of the Highlanders' three goals this season.
• Victor Pujades has played all four matches in goal and boasts a 0.47 goals-against average and .875 save percentage.

Across the Pitch: Saint Francis Red Flash (2-2-0)

• Saint Francis comes to Monteagle Ridge on Sunday after playing at Penn State on Friday.
• Niagara fell to Saint Francis 2-0 in the last meeting between the two teams on Sept. 13, 2015. The all-time series is tied at 2-2-1.
• The Red Flash has earned two clean sheets this season, scoring a 2-0 victory in the home opener against Loyola Maryland and earned a 1-0 victory in their last match at Cincinnati on Sept. 4.
• Dominic Ramirez leads the team in total scoring with three points, having assisted on three of the team's four goals this season.
• Marcus Rojas has played every minute in goal for Saint Francis this year, posting a 1.22 goals-against average and .667 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.