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NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s soccer team will host Fairfield and Iona in its final two home contests of the 2012 campaign.  The Purple Eagles welcome the Stags on Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m., before tangling with the Gaels on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. during Senior Day. 

Purple Eagles 101
Niagara saw its 12-game unbeaten streak cut short against Siena on Oct. 19, but was able to bounce back with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over Marist two days later.  The Purple Eagles head into the weekend with a 9-1-4 overall record and a 3-1-1 (10 points) MAAC mark which is good enough for fourth place.

Sophomore forward Callum Willmott is the leading scorer for the Purps, totaling 17 points with eight goals and one assist.  Senior Bryan Da Cruz is not far behind with 12 points.  His three goals are good enough for third on NU, while his career-high six assists tops the squad.  

Senior Rene De Zorzi has been solid in the defensive end, while also contributing in the attacking third with his career-high four goals and three assists for 11 points. 

Brett Petricek is having another strong season for the Purps between the posts, stopping 69 shots for a 0.87 goals-against average and a .841 save percentage.

NSCAA Division I Men’s North Atlantic Poll 
For the fifth-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 ninth-straight week being ranked in the poll. 

National Recognition
For the fifth time this season, the Purple Eagles received recognition in the NSCAA/Continental Tire National Rankings after garnering nine total votes in the most recent poll.  The Purps received the most votes they have in its program history last week when they collected 30. 

Best Start
The Purple Eagles had their best start in program history this year, going 12 games without a loss on the scoresheet.  After earning the victory over Canisius on Oct. 13, NU tied the program-best 12-game unbeaten streak that was accomplished during the 2006 season when the Purple Eagles went 5-0-7 mid-way through the season. 
 
Scouting the Stags
Fairfield comes to Monteagle Ridge with a 6-6-1 record (2-2-0 MAAC), recently losing 3-0 to Loyola this past Sunday. 
 
The Stags are led by forward Reco McLaren who has seven score on the season for 14 points.  Sophomore Jordan Ayris is second on the team in goals (3) and is tied for the team lead in assists (2) with two other squad members.  Rookie George Newton (1-2-4) and junior Jon Clements (1-1-3) have also contributed to the offense. 
 
Senior Michael O’Keefe has been the go-to goalkeeper for Fairfield, making 60 saves in 13 games for a 0.97 goals-against average and a .822 save percentage. 

Fairfield vs. Niagara
Fairfield holds a 19-3-1 advantage in the all-time series against Niagara.  Last season Niagara overcame a two-goal deficit to battle the Stags to an overtime 3-3 draw on Oct. 9.    Ben Thorne scored Niagara’s third goal, while assistant coach Liam Gilbert earned two assists in the contest. 

Taking a Look at the Gaels
Iona is currently the owner of a 6-9 overall record, with a 4-1 conference mark.  The Gaels will play Canisius on Friday before making the trip to Niagara Field.
 
Siena has 12 members of its team that have contributed to the offense, with Ansger Otto leading the way with six goal and four assists for 16 points.  Samuel Adjei (4-1-9) and Alvaro Torrecilla (4-5-13) have also been threats in the attacking third. 
 
Borja Barbero has played in all 15 games thus far, holding a .659 save percentage and a 2.06  goals-against average. 
 
All-Time vs. Iona
The Purple Eagles lead the Gaels by a 12-10-1 margin in the all-time series, but suffered a 2-1 double overtime defeat to Iona last season on Oct. 7.  The then No. 18 Iona scored two minutes into the second overtime to hand NU its first conference loss of the 2011-12 season. 
 
De Zorzi and Gilbert each contributed an assist in the loss.
 
Last Time Out    
It only took one goal by Siena on Oct. 19 to hand the Purple Eagles their first loss of the season, as the Saints snuck past NU with a 1-0 win.   The Purps could not find the back of the net despite outshooting Siena 15-8, including 12-1 in the second half.
 
The squad was able to bounce back the following game on Oct. 21 against Marist with a 3-2 overtime victory. 
 
Sophomore Roberto Andersson earned his first goal of the season with the game-winning volley five minutes into extra time.  De Zorzi had a three-point afternoon with a goal and an assist, while Da Cruz added two helpers. 
 
Petricek wrapped up weekend play with six saves. 
 
Senior Day
The team will be honoring seven Purple Eagles on Sunday during Senior Day.  Niagara will be losing seven vital members of the squad in Rene De Zorzi, Bryan Da Cruz, Ben Thorne, Mike Cunningham, Billy Cecere, Jacob Vertel and Brett Petricek. 

Going Out With A Bang
De Zorzi is wrapping up his career at Niagara with a career senior season.  The defender has scored a career-high four goals thus far, adding a career-high three assists for 11 points.  At the start of this season, De Zorzi only had a combined two goals and two assists in three seasons as a Purple Eagle. 

Next Up for NU
After wrapping up competition at Niagara Field against Iona on Sunday, the Purple Eagles head out on their final road trip of the year with a two conference matchups, starting with Manhattan on Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. and concluding on Sunday, Nov. 4 against Saint Peter’s at 1 p.m.