Friday’s Live Stats Friday’s Live Video Sunday’s Live Stats Sunday’s Live Video
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s soccer team brings its nine-game unbeaten streak to Niagara Field as the Purple Eagles play in their first two conference games of the season this weekend.
Niagara welcomes the Loyola Greyhounds on Friday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. and hosts the Rider Broncs on Sunday, Oct. 7 at 1 p.m.
Follow the Purple Eagles
Live Stats for Friday’s game against Loyola and Sunday’s afternoon game against Rider will be available. Free video streaming will only be available for both home contests. To access live stats or live video, please click on the appropriate link above.
Purple Eagles 101
The Purple Eagles (6-0-3) are looking to continue their best start in program history, as Niagara heads into conference play with a three-game undefeated streak to go along with its nine-game unbeaten stretch.
Niagara has received offensive contributions from a majority of the team, as 10 Purple Eagles have tallied at least one goal, while 14 individuals have registered at least a point.
Forwards Callum Willmott and Bryan Da Cruz are first and second, respectively, in goals and points. Willmott has tied his career-high of five goals and added a helper for 11 points, while Da Cruz has three goals and four assists so far this season. Senior Rene De Zorzi is having a career-season in all categories thus far, leading the NU defense with six points (2-2-6).
Senior Brett Petricek has been solid in goal for Niagara, stopping 54 shots for a .871 save percentage and a 0.83 goals-against average. He has three shutouts for the season.
NSCAA Division I Men’s North Atlantic Poll
For the sixth-straight week, the Niagara men’s soccer squad has been ranked in the North Atlantic by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The Purple Eagles have taken over the top spot for the second week running. This is the team’s best ranking in the NSCAA North Atlantic poll.
National Recognition
Niagara received recognition in the NSCAA/Continental Tire National Rankings for the second time this season. Last week, the Purps received 16 votes while this week Niagara garnered nine votes. Niagara was the only team in the North Atlantic to collect votes this week.
Scouting Loyola
This will be Loyola’s first conference game of the season as it comes to Monteagle Ridge with a 5-4-1 overall record. The Greyhounds last met up with Saint Francis (Pa.) in a contest that ended in a scoreless draw after double overtime action.
Loyola is led by rookie Larry Ndjock who has accumulated six goals, three assists and 15 points in 10 games. Loyola has also received offensive contributions from forwards Stephen Dooley (3-3-9) and Connor Thompson (2-3-7).
Junior goalkeeper Thurman Van Riper has played every minute for the Greyhounds this season, earning a 1.05 goals-against average and a .771 save percentage.
Greyhounds vs. Purple Eagles
Loyola holds a 21-2-1 advantage over Niagara since the series began in 1990. The two squads last met on Oct. 23, 2011 where Niagara came from behind to earn a point against the Greyhounds, tying its MAAC opponent, 1-1.
Willmott tallied the equalizer for the Purps, while Petricek registered four saves in what was his 15th start of the season.
Taking a Look at Rider
The Broncs (1-8-0) will be kick starting conference play against Canisius on Friday before meeting up with Niagara on Sunday. Rider head into Friday’s contest having recorded its first win of the season in a 1-0 victory over Lafayette this past Tuesday.
Senior Brandon Sebastian and sophomore Ryan Walsh are tied for the team-lead in points (4), as each has tallied two goals on the season. Forwards Robert Kroschwitz and Dave Benavidez have also netted a goal each on the season as well as contributed an assist.
Jason Giordano will likely earn the nod in goal. The senior keeper has made 31 saves on the season for a 2.96 goals-against average and a .633 save percentage.
All-Time Against the Broncs
Despite Rider having a slight edge over the Purple Eagles in the all-time series, leading 7-6-2, it was Niagara that came out with a 3-0 victory over the Broncs in its last meeting on Oct. 21, 2011. Willmott netted the second goal of the game, as Carl Haworth (’12) tallied a pair.
Petricek finished the game with four saves to earn his sixth shutout of the season.
Last Time Out
The Purple Eagles have won their previous three competitions, most recently registering a 3-2 victory over St. Bonaventure in the last non-conference game of the season.
Da Cruz notched the game-winning goal in the 83rd minute of play for his third of the season. Willmott tied the game at one apiece after the Bonnies jumped out to a 1-0 lead 12 minutes into the opening half. St. Bonaventure took back the lead in the 18th minute, but with 40 seconds left in the half, senior Mike Cunningham netted the equalizer.
Strong Between the Posts
Petricek is currently ranked 10th in the nation with his .871 save percentage, 12th in the nation in saves per game (6.00) and 10th in the nation in total saves (54). Along with his save percentage and saves, Petricek’s 0.83 goals-against average is first in the MAAC.
Next Up for NU
After Sunday’s contest, Niagara continues conference play the following weekend with two road games, starting with cross-town rival Canisius on Friday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. and continuing on Sunday against Siena at 3 p.m.
