NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – After opening the season with six-straight road games, the Niagara University men’s soccer team (2-5-0) returns to the road after its lone home game when it is at Saint Peter’s College (2-4-2) Friday at 4 p.m. and at Manhattan College (2-7-0) Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opening weekend.

The Purple Eagles are 3-1-1 the last five years in conference openers, and have played four of the five on the road. Niagara lost last year’s opener at Loyola College (2-1), tied Siena College (2-2 2ot) in 2004, and last won at home in 2003 with a victory over Canisius College (3-2).

Senior Matt Stedman (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) continues to lead the Purple Eagle attack with a team-best four goals and an assist for nine points. Six other Niagara players have scored this season, including sophomore Stephen Kauble (Canal Winchester, Ohio) who also has a team-best two assists.

In net, Niagara has used three keepers this season. Senior James McKenna (Pittsford, N.Y.) has played in four games and sports a 2.00 goals-against average, .625 save percentage and 1-1 record. Freshman John Fiutowski (Ottawa, Ont.) is 1-2 on the season with a 1.92 goals-against average and .722 save percentage. Junior Jason Whitehead (Middletown, N.Y.) has seen action in two games and has a 3.90 goals-against average, .455 save percentage and 0-2 record.

Saint Peter’s is winless in its last two games after tying Monmouth, 1-1, in double overtime in it last outing.

Murphy Wiredu leads the team with nine points on four goals and an assist, and Juan Gaviria has eight points on four goals. In net, Matthew Lawlor has played in eight games and has a 2.01 goals-against average, .681 save percentage and 2-4-2 record.

Manhattan enters the weekend on a two-game losing streak after losing 1-0 in overtime at No. 12 Fordham on Sept. 23.

Sean Morin tops the team in scoring with two goals for four points. In net, John Ciano has played in eight games and has a 1.33 goals-against average, .767 save percentage and is 2-6.

Niagara trails 7-5-4 in the all-time series with Saint Peter’s and 10-4-2 vs. Manhattan. Last year, the Purple Eagles lost in overtime, 3-2, to the Peacocks, but beat the Jaspers, 5-0. The last time Niagara beat Saint Peter’s was 2003 in Jersey City.