NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – After picking up its first point in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play last weekend, the Niagara men’s soccer team (2-7-2, 0-2-1 MAAC) hits the road looking for its first league win. The Purple Eagles face Iona on Friday afternoon, before battling preseason conference favorite Fairfield on Sunday.

Niagara is coming off a 2-2 tie with Siena, a game that saw the Purple Eagles hold a 30-17 shot advantage and create several scoring opportunities. Junior Miles Patterson (Landsdale, Pa.) had a breakout game that included several quality scoring chances. The midfielder pounced on a rebound and rifled a shot that beat Siena’s Steve Skoniecany. Junior Stephen Kauble (Canal Winchester, Ohio) picked up the assist after his initial shot was blocked, providing Patterson with the rebound and his first goal in a Purple Eagle uniform. Patterson nearly had another goal following a clever passing sequence. Patterson dribbled up the flank and cut in toward the box where he found freshman Levi Tesch (Wolcott, N.Y.), who flicked the ball behind his leg past the defender and into Patterson’s path. Patterson had the goalkeeper beat, but his shot pinged off the post.

Kauble has been an offensive spark for the Purple Eagles recently. Although he did not register a point in Niagara’s first six games, the forward has recorded at least a point in four of the last five contests, including two multiple-goal games. Kauble has been Niagara’s go-to-player on penalty kicks, converting both of his chances.

On defense, sophomore John Fiutowski (Ottawa, Ont.), sits third in the nation with an average of 7.45 saves per game. In 11 games this season, Fiutowski has accumulated 82 saves, just 15 shy of fifth-place on Niagara’s single-season charts. Guillermo Rodriguez sits in fifth with 97 saves, and with six games and the MAAC tournament remaining, Fiutowski has a legitimate chance of surpassing Rodriguez’s totals. Meanwhile, Fiutowski’s career-high 13 saves against St. Bonaventure on Sept. 13, ties for the fifth-highest single-game total in the NCAA this season.

Freshman Matt Hynes (Rochester, N.Y.) broke into the starting lineup, playing the full 90 minutes at right back against Marist. The rookie defender, who has played in six games this season, also started against Siena.

Niagara opens the weekend with Iona (6-7-0, 3-1-0). The Gaels suffered their first MAAC loss on Sunday, falling to Loyola 1-0. Iona’s Aly Lo is tied for the conference lead in goals with 8 and was named the MAAC Offensive Player of the Week after notching four goals in three games. In last year’s meeting, Niagara squeaked out a 1-0 win, marking only the second time NU has defeated the Gaels. The Purple Eagles trail in the all-time series 2-15-0.

Fairfield (7-3-2, 2-1-1), the preseason favorite to win the conference, currently sits in fourth place with seven points in league play. After winning five of their first six games, the Stags have won only two of their last six. Sam Bailey has proven to be an opportunistic scorer as five of his team-leading six goals have been game winners. Niagara has never defeated Fairfield and is 0-18-0 all-time against the Stags.