NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s soccer team (2-5-1) opens Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with crosstown rival Canisius on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Niagara Field. Saturday will also feature Kids’ Day, an afternoon filled with fun activities including a moon bounce, inflatable obstacle course and soccer lawn game. The festivities kick off at 1 p.m. in the open area near Niagara Field and are open to the public.

The Purple Eagles take the field on the heels of a strong 4-3 win over Robert Morris. NU’s four goals mark the most scored in a game in more than a year. The last time Niagara recorded at least four goals was a 4-2 win over Cleveland State on Sept. 13. In its two games over the weekend, Niagara totaled five goals, which equaled a greater offensive output than their previous six games combined when they managed to find the back of the net only four times.

All four of Niagara’s goals against the Colonials were the result of set pieces, including a penalty shot, a throw in and two free kicks. NU’s offensive explosion was sparked by junior Stephen Kauble (Canal Winchester, Ohio), who notched three goals in two games, including Niagara’s first multi-goal effort of the season. Kauble scored the Purple Eagle’s only goal in Friday’s 2-1 loss to St. Bonaventure, and also tallied a pair of goals in Sunday’s 4-3 win. The goals were Kauble’s first of the season and tied his career high, as he also recorded three goals as a freshman.

Junior Matthew Durand (Melbourne, Australia) also recorded his third goal of the season in Niagara’s win. Durand is tied with Kauble for the team lead with six points, while eight other players have contributed either a goal or an assist.

Niagara will look to put together its first back-to-back wins of the season when it faces its local crosstown rival. Canisius (1-7-0) sits 10th in the conference with its only win coming in a 2-1 overtime victory at Bowling Green on Sept. 16. The Golden Griffins have given up the most goals (20) of any conference team, and have also sputtered on offense, tallying just six goals in eight games. They are coming off a 1-0 loss to Cleveland State, the same team that defeated the Purple Eagles, 2-0, in their season opener on Sept. 2. The all-time series record sits at 19-19-3, with the last meeting a 1-1 tie at Canisius.