NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – The Niagara men’s soccer team heads to Norfolk, Va. this weekend where it will face two Colonial Athletic Association powerhouses, Old Dominion and William and Mary, in the prestigious Stihl Soccer Classic.

The Purple Eagles will face the host, Old Dominion (2-1-0) on Friday night at 7 p.m. and will play William and Mary (1-1-0) on Sunday at noon. The Temple Owls will also participate in the classic. The winner of the 34^th edition of the classic will be presented with the Queens’ Cup which was originally given to ODU by the British Royal Navy in 1976 in honor of Queen Elizabeth.

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Niagara’s mental and physical strengths have been tested early in the season after playing in consecutive overtime matches. NU fell 1-0 in the opener versus Duquesne and held La Salle to a 2-2 tie in double overtime.

Last time out
Niagara played in its second consecutive overtime game to the start season and was able to hang on to 2-2 result against the La Salle Explorers on Sunday afternoon. Sophomore Carl Haworth (Barrie, Ont.) and senior Stephen Kauble (Canal Winchester, Ohio) were on the scoresheet to open their accounts for the season. Senior John Fiutowski (Ottawa, Ont.) recorded a career-high 14 saves.

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).

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). Fiutowski has already started the season in fine form, recording 10 saves in the season opener and had a career-high 14 saves against La Salle.

Against the Monarchs
First Meeting

About the Monarchs

ODU is coming off of its first loss of the season against the College of Charleston on Sunday. Through three games, senior midfielder Nane Joseph leads the team with two goals and four points, followed by Ambane Emmanuel and Bobby Foglesong with one goal each. Freshmen Yannick Smith and Shane Howard each have one assist each. In the net, Evan Newton (Virginia Beach, Va.) has a shutout and a1.00 goals against average.

Against the Tribe

First Meeting

About the Tribe

William and Mary scored three second half goals to top Campbell, 3-2, last Saturday to even up its record to 1-1-0. The College used a pair of first career goals from junior Ian Stowe and freshman Caleb Thomas, and a third from senior Price Thomas to beat the Camels, who scored back-to-back goals in less than two minutes to tie the match late before W&M got the game winner with less than three minutes left.