NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University men’s soccer team (4-12-2, 2-5-1) prepares for its final game of the 2004 regular season, visiting crosstown rival Canisius College (4-11-1, 3-4-1) Saturday at the Demske Sports Complex, on the campus of Canisius, at 1 p.m.

The Purple Eagles enter their regular season finale against the Golden Griffins coming off Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 double-overtime win over Rider University. In the win, senior Simon Adair (Oakville, Ont.) tallied his fourth goal of the season, followed by junior Paul VandenBoomen’s (Victoria, B.C.) game-winning goal in the 102nd minute.

Leading Niagara into its game against Canisius is sophomore forward Matt Stedman (Lockport), who had an assist in the win over Rider. Stedman stands tied for fourth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in points with 15 on five goals and five assists.

Junior Mark Spooner (Mickleover, England), second in the MAAC in shots (51), stands second on the Purple Eagles in points with nine (3 goals, 3 assists). Spooner had Niagara’s lone goal in the loss to conference-leading Loyola Oct .29.

Also contributing is Adair, third on the team with eight points on four goals. Adair had two goals in Niagara’s victory over Canisius last season, a 3-2 win Oct .7, 2003 at Niagara Field.

Starting 16 games in net this season for the Purple Eagles, junior Eric Sullivan (Traverse City, Mich.) has two shutouts this season, with a 1.92 goals-against average. Sullivan is third in the conference in saves, averaging 4.19 saves per game.

Tied for fourth in the MAAC with a 3-4-1 record in conference play, Canisius is coming off a split last weekend, defeating Rider Oct. 29 and falling to Loyola in overtime Oct. 31.

Winning two of their last three games, the Golden Griffins are tied for the fourth and final spot for next weekend’s MAAC Tournament, played Nov. 12-14 at Rider University.

Canisius is led by the scoring of senior forward Chris Robey, who is fourth in the conference with 15 points (6 goals, 3 assists). Robey has three goals and eight points in Canisius’ last three games, scoring both goals for the Griffs in the 3-2 loss to Loyola. In last season’s contest against Niagara, Robey had both Canisius goals.

Playing in 10 games this season, sophomore goalkeeper Adam Sleyzak has a 1.18 goals-against average, averaging 5.90 saves per game. Sleyzak has two shutouts for the Griffs this season.

The all-time series between the two schools is deadlocked at 18-18-2.