Junior James Avery

   Niagara University is making its third consecutive and fourth overall postseason appearance when it plays in the double elimination 2005 Anaconda Sports Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, N.Y.

   The Purple Eagles enter the championship as the No. 4 seed after finishing with a 23-26 overall record and 16-9 mark in the conference. They will open the championship against top-seeded Marist College. The Red Foxes ended the regular season with records of 30-19 and 22-5.

   The winner of Niagara-Marist will play the winner of No. 2 Siena College (28-21, 19-5) and No. 3 Manhattan College (27-19, 15-8) at 3 p.m. Friday, and the losers of both games meet at 11 a.m. Friday.