NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles continue their season opening four-game road trip with a match at the La Salle Explorers on Sunday at 1 p.m.  The Purple Eagles and Explorers will play each other for the first time since they were MAAC rivals in 1991.

Last Time Out

Niagara lost a compelling game against the Atlantic 10’s Duquesne Dukes in its season opener on Tuesday. The game was a 0-0 stalemate after regulation; the Purple Eagles had the best chance to win the game in overtime, but Stephen Kauble’s (Canal Winchester, Ohio) penalty kick was saved in the 96^th minute. Two minutes later, the Dukes scored the game’s only goal for a 1-0 win.

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 which was one short of his career-high.

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).

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.)

Against the Explorers

All-time record against the Dukes (0-2-0)

About the Explorers

La Salle losing streak extended to eight games dating back to last season with a season opening 2-1 defeat to Bucknell. The Explorers return a relatively young squad including the top two leading point scorer, Tom Kalpokas and Ryan Richter.