The Niagara men's soccer team opens up conference play when they head to Hamden, Connecticut for a matchup with the Quinnipiac Bobcats. With the game scheduled to kick off at 2:00pm on Sunday afternoon, this will be the first step for the Purple Eagles to make a run at getting into the postseason this year. Niagara is coming off of two very physical, heated matches against Big 4 rivals Buffalo and St. Bonaventure. The Purple Eagles fell 3-0 to Buffalo at Niagara Field before a 1-0 loss at St. Bonaventure.
 
Last Time Out

• In its final non-conference match of the season, Niagara lost a close match to rival St. Bonaventure, 1-0.
• The Purple Eagles' defense looked strong in the opening 20 minutes of play, allowing three shots to the Bonnies which were all stopped by goalkeeper Steve Casey.
• A golden opportunity presented itself to Niagara on a free kick in the 35th minute. Niagara failed to convert, and the Bonnies took the ball on the counter attack and beat Casey for the eventual game-winning goal.
• The Bonnies took the lead into the half and maintained their momentum into the second half, controlling most of the game up until the 70th minute.
• Niagara had several chances in the final 20 minutes to grab an equalizer as they pushed towards goal more decisively, shifting the momentum in their favor.
• The best chance in the second half fell to Niagara's Bautista Pedezert, who fired a shot from 15 yards just over the crossbar.
• Casey made three saves, the fifth time he's managed at least three this season.

 
Purple Points

• The Purple Eagles are ranked fifth in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 1.29 goals per game. Niagara's nine total goals against ranks tied for fifth in the MAAC.
• Steve Casey is tied for second in the MAAC with two shutouts this season.
• Niagara's attack has been well disciplined in their runs forward, only being called for offsides three times this season, a conference low.
• Freshman Mackenzie Roach leads Niagara in scoring with five points (two goals, one assist) through seven matches. Fellow rookies Absalom Solorio Villalpando and Mbongeni Tshuma and senior Konrad Zydowicz all have one goal and one assist in 2016.

 
Across the Pitch: Quinnipiac Bobcats (4-4-0)

• Quinnipiac are coming into Sunday's contest off of their second-ever win against a Big East team in program history, beating St. John's 1-0 off of a goal in the 78th minute.
• Freshman Eamon Whelan leads the team in goals (4) and points (8). Those totals rank second and third, respectively, in the MAAC.
• The Bobcats boast one of the top defenses in the conference, ranking fourth in goals against average (1.14), first in total saves (40), and tied for first in shutouts (3).
• Last year, Niagara and Quinnipiac battled to a 1-1 draw after double overtime at Niagara Field.
• In a game that featured 10 cards, two of which were reds, all of the scoring came in the first half. The Bobcats scored in the 14th minute to take the lead before surrendering the equalizer to Niagara in the 26th minute.
• Niagara dominated overtime play, outshooting Quinnipiac 5-1 in the two overtime periods, but the game ended in a draw.

 
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