Senior Rafael Venturini recorded 11 points, including two game- winning goals last season.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – After close to two weeks of preseason practices, the Niagara University men’s soccer team will finally get its season underway Friday as it travels to Syracuse University to battle the Orange at the SU Soccer Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

The Purple Eagles finished last season with their first appearance in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament and the most victories in a season (9) in 17 years. This season, the squad looks to earn a victory in a season opener for the first time under fifth-year head coach Dermot McGrane. The last time a Purple Eagle men’s soccer team began the season with a win was with a 2-0 win over Brockport State in 1988.

Niagara returns five of its top six scorers from last season, including the one-two punch of seniors Matt Stedman (Lockport, N.Y.) and Kwame Oduro (Toronto, Ont.). The duo combined for 21 goals and 13 assists last season, with Stedman being named MAAC Offensive Player of the Year. Rafael Venturini (Vitoria, Brazil), who registered four goals and three assists, and was tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (2) last season, and 2005 MAAC All-Rookie forward Eric Brodfuehrer (Tonawanda, N.Y.) are back offensively. Defensively, the Purple Eagles return seniors, Brian Leonard (Sarnia, Ont.) and Jeff Densk (Baldwinsville, N.Y.), as well as, 2005 MAAC All-Rookie and 2006 All-MAAC Preseason selection Billy Gustafson (Rochester, N.Y.).

Syracuse advanced to the Big East Tournament for the first time in five seasons in 2005. Offensively, the Orange return seven of its eight goal scorers, including sophomore Pete Rowley, who paced the team last season in points (13) and goals scored (6). Defensively, two-time team defensive Most Valuable Player Brad Peetoom leads an experienced group that gave up just 0.89 goals per game last season.

Entering the program’s 39th year, Niagara holds a 3-11-0 record against the Orange all-time. The two teams have not played since 1991, with the last Purple Eagle victory coming in 1977.