NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University men’s soccer team (0-3-0) continues its six-game road swing that opens its 2006 season when it travels to Cleveland to meet Cleveland State (2-3-1) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Krenzler Soccer Field.

The Purple Eagles will try to snap a three-game losing streak that included a loss to then-No. 15 ranked Santa Clara. Defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Matt Stedman (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) recorded his first goal of the season in the loss to the Broncos. Freshman Michael Malone (Rochester, N.Y.) has the Purple Eagles other goal.

In net, senior James McKenna (Pittsford, N.Y.) has seen action in all three matches, posting a 3.33 goals-against average and .565 save percentage.

Cleveland State will also be looking for its first win in it last four games. The Vikings last claimed victory in a win over Canisius on Aug. 27. In their last outing, they lost 3-1 to UW-Green Bay Sept. 9.

Andrew Gutting leads the Vikings in points with a goal and team-best three assists. Bryan Henson has two goals and five others have a goal apiece.

In net, Cleveland State has used a pair of keepers in its six games. Kasey Gray has played in five, starting four, has a 2-2-0 record and a 1.11 goals-against average. Dan Duric has also played in two outings with a 0-1-1 record and 0.58 GAA.

In last year’s meeting on Monteagle Ridge, Niagara beat the Vikings, 6-1. Senior Kwame Oduro (Toronto, Ont.) had the hat trick and Stedman added two goals. The victory was the first in the all-time series for Niagara. Cleveland State had won three and the teams tied twice in the previous five games.