NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University men’s soccer team (5-5-1, 3-0-1) returns to action on Friday at 7 p.m. when it travels to cross-town rival Canisius College (4-5-1, 2-2).

The Purple Eagles enter the game on a winning note after beating Loyola College 1-0 on Oct. 8. Senior forward Rafael Venturini (Victoria, Brazil) broke a scoreless tie with a penalty kick in the 88th minute for the game-winner. The victory also gave Niagara at least one point in its last four games during which it has gone 3-0-1. The Purple Eagles currently stand atop the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings.

Senior forward Matt Stedman (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) leads Niagara with 11 points on a team-high five goals and an assist while Venturini is second on the team with three goals. Freshman goalkeeper John Fiutowski (Ottawa, Ont.) is 4-2-1 with a team-best 35 saves and two shutouts to his credit.

Meanwhile, Canisius ended a two-game losing skid with a 4-0 win over Rider on Oct. 8. Four different players scored for the Golden Griffins who are 2-2 at home.

Canisius is lead by freshman midfielder Alan McGreal who has 15 points on six goals and three assists. Senior goalkeeper Matt Houghton is 2-3 with a pair of shutouts and 23 saves.

The all-time series between the two schools is tied at 19-19-2. The last time Niagara beat Canisius was on Oct. 15, 2005, when it posted a 5-2 home victory.