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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The third-seeded Niagara Purple Eagles will play top-seeded Loyola (Md.) in the 2012 MAAC Championship Game televised live on ESPN3 on Saturday at 8 p.m. from Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field.  This will be the program’s second-ever appearance in the title match with the winner heading to the NCAA Tournament. 
 
Tune into the Game
The 2012 Men’s Soccer Championship Final will be telecast line on ESPN3 at 8 p.m. on Saturday. 

The game will also be broadcast live on MAAC.TV.  Live stats for the contest will be available.  To access live stats or video, please click on the appropriate link above.
 
Redemption for NU
The Purple Eagles (12-1-4; 6-1-1) advanced as a result of a 2-1 overtime victory over second-seeded Siena on Thursday evening, finding redemption after losing its only match of the season against the Saints on Oct. 19.
 
Rookie Darren Cooper had a three-point night for the Purps, securing NU’s trip to the title game with an extra time tally just 15 seconds in.  He also contributed an assist in the Roberto Andersson goal that had initially given Niagara the 1-0 lead at the 78th minute of play.  The Saints did not let their conference foe enjoy the one-goal advantage as Siena scored 28 seconds later to send the game into overtime.  
 
Senior goalkeeper Brett Petricek wrapped up the game with four saves. 

Second Times A Charm
Niagara is making its second-ever trip to the MAAC Championship Game. The Purple Eagles have played in eight MAAC Championships (1999, 2003, 2005-09, 2011) since joining the league in 1989.
 
In-Form Purple Eagles
Niagara is 5-1 in its last six matches, with its only blemish coming in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Siena late in the season. The Purple Eagles have outscored their opponents 9-4 in the stretch, including dropping Marist, 2-1 in OT, stealing 1-0 victories from Fairfield and Iona, and knocking out no. 2 seed Siena. 
 
Scouting Loyola
Loyola wrapped up the regular season with a 12-5-1 overall record, and a 7-1-0 conference mark.  With the 1-0 semi-final victory over Iona, the Greyhounds, now 8-1-0 in conference play, extend their undefeated streak to eight games, shutting out opponents five times in that span.

The team is led by rookie Larry Ndjock who has racked up 13 goals and three helpers for 29 points.  Loyola has also received offensive contributions from forwards Connor Thomas (7-6-20) who scored the game-winning tally against the Gaels on Thursday, and Stephen Dooley (6-5-17). 

Junior goalkeeper Thurman Van Riper has played every minute for the Greyhounds this season, making 85 saves for a 0.91 goals-against average and a .817 save percentage. 

All-Time vs. the Greyhounds
Loyola holds a 21-3-1 advantage over NU since the series began in 1990.  The two squads met in the Purple Eagles first conference game of the 2012 campaign on Oct. 5, where Niagara came out with the 2-1 win.  Rene De Zorzi capitalized on a late penalty kick opportunity to lead the Purps to victory.  The team also got a score from junior midfielder Ken Cooper.    

Post Season History Against Loyola
The Greyhounds have won both meetings between these two squads in MAAC tournament play.  The last loss came on Nov. 15, 2009 when the number two seed Loyola denied Niagara its first-ever MAAC Championship after a 1-0 double-overtime victory. 

Extra Time Is No Problem
Niagara has played into overtime seven times this season, owning a 2-0-4 record in those contests.  The Purps drew against Pittsburgh in the season opener, and battled to scoreless ties against New Hampshire, Vermont and Rider. 

NU notched victories in the final pair of games that went into overtime which included a 2-1 win over Marist and most recently, the 2-1 MAAC semi-final victory over Siena. 

Best Start
The Purple Eagles had their best start in program history this year, going 12 games without a loss on the score sheet.  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 midway through the season. It was a 1-0 loss to the Siena Saints on Oct. 19 that cut the team’s streak short. 

Defensive Delights
The Niagara defense has played a pivotal role in the Purple Eagles season.  Seniors Rene De Zorzi and Brett Petricek anchors one of the top defenses in the country, only allowing 14 goals on the season, and accumulating six blank sheets in 17 games. 
 
MAAC Honors
Seniors Brett Petricek and Rene De Zorzi were honored by the MAAC as Petricek was named the MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year and De Zorzi was tabbed as MAAC Defensive Player of the Year. 

De Zorzi also earned a spot on the All-MAAC First team, while Petricek, Andersson, Ken Cooper and Callum Willmott were placed on the All-MAAC Second team.  Freshman Darren Cooper found himself on the All-Rookie Team after his strong play in his initital season as a Purple Eagle.  

Between the Posts
Petricek has been solid between the posts for the Purple Eagles, making a total of 81 saves for a 0.77 goals-against average and a .853 save percentage.  He has six shutouts to his name, earning him MAAC Goalie of the Year and MAAC Defensive Player of the Week twice this season.  The Woodbridge, Ill. native is ranked sixth in the nation in save percentage and is slated in the 21st position in goals-against average.