NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s soccer team is preparing for its two-game road trip this weekend, meeting up with the Siena Saints on Friday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. and continuing conference play on Sunday, Oct. 21 against Marist
at 1 p.m.
Follow the Purple Eagles
Live Stats for Friday’s game against Siena and Sunday’s afternoon game against Marist will be available. Video streaming will only be available for Friday's contest. To access live stats or live video, please click on the appropriate link above.
Purple Eagles 101
Niagara was able to keep its 12 game unbeaten streak alive with a 3-2 win over Canisius last Saturday, improving its record to 8-0-4 (2-0-1 MAAC).
Sophomore forward
Callum Willmott continues to lead the Purps in goals (8) and points (17), while seniors
Bryan Da Cruz and
Rene De Zorzi have contributed three goals each.
Ken Cooper and
Darren Cooper have also been dangerous in the offensive third, as Ken has scored two goals and contributed two assists, while Darren has a goal and two assists on the season.
Keeper
Brett Petricek is having a strong season in goal, making 63 saves in 12 games for a 0.86 goals-against average and a .851 save percentage. The senior has compiled three shutouts so far this year.
Offensive Threat
Willmott earned a couple of accolades this past week after netting his first collegiate hat-trick against Canisius en route to the Purple Eagles 3-2 victory.
The sophomore was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, as well as the ECAC Offensive Player of the Week.
Willmott had a six-point weekend, scoring a pair in the opening half and adding the game-winning tally in the 83rd minute to solidify the victory.
NSCAA Division I Men’s North Atlantic Poll
For the fourth-straight week, the Niagara men’s soccer squad has been slated in the top spot in the North Atlantic by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). This is the team’s best ranking in the NSCAA North Atlantic poll, and their eighth-straight week being ranked on the poll.
National Recognition
Niagara received recognition in the NSCAA/Continental Tire National Rankings for the fourth time this season. The Purps received the most votes they have in its program history this week, 30 after garnering 20 total votes in last week’s poll. Niagara was one of two teams in the North Atlantic to collect votes this past week, as Monmouth received one vote.
A Dozen Without A Loss
The Purple Eagles remain unbeaten in the 2012 campaign, going 12 games without seeing a loss on the scoresheet to continue their best start in program history. After the win over Canisius on Saturday, Niagara tied the program best 12 game unbeaten streak that was accomplished during the 2006 season when the Purps went 5-0-7 mid-way through the season.
Scouting the Saints
The Saints are welcoming the Purple Eagles with a 7-6-0 overall record, and a 3-1-0 conference mark, recently dropping a 3-0 decision to the Loyola (Md.) Greyhounds on Oct. 14.
The team is led by senior forward Sindre Ek who has compiled nine goals and three assists for 21 points. Siena has also received offensive contributions from rookies Tom Allen (3-1-7) and Nils Weddig (2-2-6), and junior James Beeston (1-4-6).
Sophomore goalkeeper Damian Liesemann has played every minute for the Saints so far this season, making 36 saves for a .667 save percentage and a 1.35 goals-against average.
Siena vs. Niagara
Siena leads the all-time series against Niagara, 6-13-4 with the teams battling to a 1-1 draw last season.
Taking a Look at the Red Foxes
The Red Foxes head into weekend play with a 5-7-1 record (1-3-0 MAAC), after losing a 3-0 match-up against non-conference opponent UC Riverside. The Red Foxes will battle Canisius on Friday before hosting the Purple Eagles on Sunday.
Marist has gotten a team-leading seven scores from senior Stephen Brossard so far this season, as the forward is tops on the Red Foxes with 18 points. Junior Evan Southworth is second on the squad with four goals, and has added a helper on the season for nine points. Midfielders Wes Finch (2-4-8) and Simon Laugsand (2-1-5) are also go-to offensive players.
Junior Anthony Sokalski is the go-to keeper for Marist. In 13 games, Sokalski has made 55 saves for a .743 save percentage and a 1.41 goals-against average.
All-Time vs. Marist
The Red Foxes hold a 6-10-1 lead against Niagara since the series began in Sept. 18, 1996. The Purple Eagles were the team to come out with the victory in their last meeting in 2011, as Niagara pulled out a 1-0 victory on Sept. 30.
Niagara’s only score of the game came in the 62
nd minute as Da Cruz tapped in a pass from Carl Haworth (’12). Petricek made four saves in the team’s first conference game of the season.
Last Time Out
The Purple Eagles won a nail-biting 3-2 decision against the Canisius Golden Griffins last Saturday.
Willmott propelled NU to a Battle of the Bridge victory with three scores, while the Cooper brothers and Da Cruz added assists.
Petricek aided in the win with three saves.
Strong Between the Posts
Petricek is currently ranked 10th in the nation with his .851 save percentage, 22nd in the nation in saves per game (5.25) and 12th in the nation in total saves (60) and 40
th in the nation in goals-against average (.852).
Next Up for NU
After Sunday’s match-up against Marist, the Purple Eagles come to Monteagle Ridge the following weekend their final two home games of the regular season.
Niagara hosts Fairfield on Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. before wrapping up the home schedule with a bout against Iona on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. during Senior Day.
