NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men’s soccer team is gearing up for its final game of the regular season this Friday as it hosts the rival Canisius Golden Griffins in a Battle of the Bridge match. 

With the 2011 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships held at Disney in Florida this year, every team qualifies. Niagara presently sits in fourth place with 12 points, but a win over Canisius will ensure that the Purple Eagles will finish in the top five of the conference.
 
The Purple Eagles (8-4-4; 3-2-3 MAAC) came from behind against Loyola to earn a point, tying the Greyhounds 1-1.  MAAC Offensive Player of the Week Carl Haworth connected with Rookie of the Week, Callum Willmott for the game tying header late in the second half.  Both players will attempt to continue their recent success on the field.  Callum has netted five for the season, four of them being game-winners, while Haworth is ranked 17^th in the NCAA for goals (10) and assists (15) and 11^th in points with 28. 
 
Canisius (4-11-1; 2-5-1 MAAC) travels to Monteagle Ridge having won in overtime, 2-1, against Rider after junior Gavin Falconer netted his second extra time goal of the season.  Falconer leads the Golden Griffins in goals with three and is tied with Sam Zarka in points (6).

Niagara currently leads the Battle of the Bridge series by a 4-0 score.
 
The match is set to begin at 5:30 p.m.

(Check out interviews with head coach Chase Brooks and senior Liam Gilbert as the discuss the upcoming season finale against rival Canisius.)