Matt Stedman enters the weekend 3rd all-time in points, goals and assists at Niagara.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University men’s soccer team will look to earn its first win of the season this weekend when it travels to the University of California at Irvine for the Cal-Irvine College Classic. The Purple Eagles will play the host Anteaters on Sept. 2 at 10:30 p.m., and Santa Clara on Sept. 4 at a time to be determined. Both games will take place at Anteater Stadium in Irvine, Calif.

The Purple Eagles began the season Aug. 25 with a 3-1 setback at Syracuse University. Freshman Michael Malone (Rochester, N.Y.) started his Niagara career off with a bang as he tallied the lone goal for the Purple Eagles. Classmate Danny Lobene (Rochester, N.Y.) earned an assist in his college debut. James McKenna (Pittsford, N.Y.) played all 90 minutes in goal for Niagara making two saves.

Cal-Irvine is 1-0 this season under 11-year head coach George Kuntz. The Anteaters defeated Denver, 4-1, on their home field on Aug. 25. Rudy Mondragon scored two of the Anteaters’ three second-half goals to lead the team to victory over the Pioneers. Matt Murphy and Craig Ettinger also scored for Irvine and Greg Larsen made two saves in the goal. Anteater forward Brad Evans was selected as a third team Preseason All-American by College Soccer News.

Santa Clara, ranked 18th in the country, is 1-0-1 under head coach Cam Rast after a 1-0 win over Stanford and a 1-1 draw with California this past weekend. Peter Lowry scored on a penalty kick to give the Broncos the win over the Cardinal on Aug. 25, and Jeff Cosgriff netted the game-tying goal against the Bears on Aug. 28. Joseph Buttita has played all 200 minutes in goal for Santa Clara recording a 0.45 goals-against-average. The Broncos have played in the last three NCAA Tournaments, including a trip to the 2003 College Cup.

This will be the first meeting with Cal-Irvine and Santa Clara in Niagara's 39-year history.