NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s soccer team starts its 2009 campaign with a road date with the Duquesne Dukes at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night. The Purple Eagles topped the Dukes, 1-0, at Niagara Field last season for Niagara’s first win in the series.

Who’s back and who’s new for 09

Niagara returns 17 players from last season’s record setting team. NU finished the season tying school records with an 11-6-3 overall record, 5-3-1 conference record and set a school record with a 6-2-1 home mark. Senior goalkeeper John Fiutowski (Ottawa, Ont.), 2008 MAAC Rookie of the Year Carl Hawork (Barrie, Ont.), and 2009 MAAC Preseason Team members midfielder Levi Tesch (Wolcott, N.Y.) and defender Anthony DiBiase (Richmond Hill, Ont.) highlight the returning key players. Seven new Purple Eagles are on the roster, including freshmen defender Rene DeZorzi (Maple, Ont.), forwards Bryan DaCruz (Barrie, Ont.) and Casey Sheehan (Tonawanda, N.Y.)

Fort Fiutowski

Senior goalkeeper John Fiutowksi enters the season in arm distance of claiming number one in career starts, saves, shutouts and minutes at Niagara. The marketing major has already garnered national attention last season; his 6.56 saves per game led the NCAA. Fiutowski set school records in wins (9) and shutouts (5) and holds the career record in wins (19) and goals against average (1.39).

McGrane on the brink

Head coach Dermot McGrane needs one more win to become Niagara’s all-time leader in career wins. McGrane enters the season with 47 wins and is tied with Jean Tassey who had a 47-40-7 record in eight seasons with the Purple Eagles (1974-81).

Against the Dukes

All-time record against the Dukes (1-3-1)

Last Meeting - September 19, 2008, Duquesne 0 – Niagara 1

Niagara Univ., N.Y. - Niagara used a second half surged to propel itself to a 1-0 victory over Duquesne. NU was outshot 10-4 in the first half, but went on the offensive in the second; taking an 11-2 advantage in shots. Zach Scholla (Angelica, N.Y.) scored the game’s only goal in the 76^th minute and gave the Purple Eagles their first win over the Dukes in five attempts (1-3-1).

About the Dukes

Duquesne finished last season with a 5-10-4 record and second to bottom in the Atlantic 10 with a 1-7-1 conference record.  Three of the top four leading point scores, including the top two (Ben Horner and Stefan Lundberg), returns along with the starting goalkeeper Chris Torres.