NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The men’s soccer team continues its five-game road swing this weekend as it travels to Brooklyn to face St. Francis on Friday night, before heading to Stony Brook to tackle the Seawolves on Sunday afternoon.

The Purple Eagles are still looking for their first goal of the season as they have struggled to replace last year’s scoring punch. NU lost three key players to graduation who accounted for more than two-thirds of the team’s scoring in 2006. Niagara’s offensive woes are not for a lack of effort, as the Purple Eagles have averaged 14 shots-per-game and have more than doubled their opponent’s corner kick totals.

Freshman Levi Tesch (Wolcott, N.Y.) has created numerous scoring opportunities but has been denied by stellar goalkeeping and unfriendly posts. In all, 10 different Purple Eagles have attempted at least one shot this season.

Despite its offensive woes, Niagara’s defense has been sound even though injuries have forced head coach Dermot McGrane to juggle the lineup. Sophomore Justin Roundy (Liverpool, N.Y.) and freshman Jordan DeRoy (Barrie, Ont.) are the anchors at center back, while sophomore transfer Anthony DiBiase (Richmond Hill, Ont.) has patrolled the left side of the field.

Niagara will need its defenders at the top of their game on Friday when they face a surging St. Francis squad. The Terriers claimed the UMBC adidas Kick-Off Classic title last weekend on the strength of a 3-1 victory over Navy. SFU is 2-1-1 on the season with its only loss coming to Lafayette in the season opener. Freshman John Sallhag has accounted for more than half of the Terriers’ goals this season and is averaging a goal a game. Friday’s matchup marks the first time Niagara has played St. Francis.

After starting the season with consecutive road losses, Stony Brook (2-2-0) has reeled off two-straight wins, including Monday’s 2-1 victory at Columbia. Stony Brook was held without a goal in its first two matches, but has combined for five tallies in its last two. The Seawolves are led offensively by Michael Palacio, who has played a part in four of SBU’s five goals. On the defensive end, Stony Brook has used two goalkeepers with Dawid Ditrich getting the majority of the time in goal. Niagara and Stony Brook have squared off only one other time, with the Seawolves earning a 1-0 win in 2004.