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As the end of the regular season approaches, the Purple Eagles men's soccer team will look to snap a two-game losing streak Saturday afternoon in a 3 p.m. road match against the Iona Gaels. Saturday's matchup marks the start of a two-game road trip for the Purple Eagles, who will head back to downstate New York to take on the Manhattan Jaspers on Wednesday.

Fans can tune in to Saturday's contest on ESPN3 and WatchESPN.

Purple Points

• The Purple Eagles were defeated 3-1 Wednesday afternoon by the Marist Red Foxes, with Konrad Zydowicz picking up Niagara's lone goal of the game on a penalty kick in the 66th minute.
• Niagara fell 2-1 to No. 25 Rider University in double overtime last Saturday.
• Bautista Pedezert scored his second goal of the season, tying the game in the 75th minute to force overtime.
• Despite a strong defensive performance by goalkeeper Steve Casey, Rider broke the deadlock in the final seconds of double overtime off a direct free kick just outside Niagara's box.
• Casey currently ranks SECOND in the NCAA and leads the MAAC with 6.40 saves per game. He is second in the conference with 64 total saves.
• Zulfikar Karimi and Bautista Pedezert are tied for the team offensively this season with two goals and one assist each. Karimi leads alone in shots (19) and shots on goal (10) while Pedezert ranks second with 18 and six, respectively.
• Karimi, Pedezert, Zydowicz, Asante Carroll, and Luca Pacheco all have a team-high two goals for the Purple Eagles.

Across the Pitch
Iona Gaels (4-5-3, 3-3-1 MAAC)

• Iona returns home Saturday after having a three-game winless streak snapped at Saint Peter's in a 4-0 loss on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
• Niagara holds a slim 14-13-1 edge in the all-time series with the Gaels.
• Humbert Ferrer paces the Gaels in goals (three) and points (seven), while Sebastian Gordillo leads the team with three assists on the year.
• Goalkeeping duties have been split this season between Juan Alcantara and Kellar Sirstins. Alcantara has allowed just two goals on 16 shots on goal in five starts, recording a 0.36 goals-against average, a 2-1-2 record, and three shutouts. Sirstins has a 1.22 goals-against average, .600 save percentage, and two shutouts while going 2-3-1 between the pipes.

 
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