Friday, Sept. 1	Central Connecticut (0-1)	4:30 p.m.	Live Video	Live Stats
Sunday, Sept. 3	Vermont (1-1)	2:00 p.m.	Live Video	Live Stats

This weekend, the Niagara men's soccer team looks to bounce back from two season-opening losses when the team takes on the Peter Baldwin Memorial Classic, hosted by the University of Vermont. The Purple Eagles kick off the weekend tournament Friday, Sept. 1 at 4:30 p.m. against the Central Connecticut Blue Devils. In the final game of the tournament, Niagara will take on the host Vermont Catamounts on Sunday, Sept. 3 in a 2 p.m. matchup.
 
Purple Points

• Niagara opened the season last weekend with its first-ever matchups against the Lipscomb Bisons and Belmont Bruins. Bautista Pedezert and Zulfikar Karimi tallied goals against 2016 Atlantic Sun semifinalist Lipscomb, but the Bisons held on for a 3-2 win over Niagara on Aug. 25.
• Karimi's goal was the first of his career at Niagara; he started all 16 games at midfield in his freshman campaign last year, recording eight shots and one shot on goal.
• Freshman back Matthew Krucko-Moeller picked up his first career goal in a 6-1 loss to Belmont on Aug. 27.
• Niagara plays Vermont for the first time since Sept. 9, 2012, when the Purple Eagles and Catamounts played to a scoreless draw.
• The Purple Eagles' lone other matchup against the Central Connecticut Blue Devils came 12 seasons ago on Sept. 2, 1995.
• 2016 MAAC All-Rookie Team midfielder Mackenzie Roach led Niagara last weekend with four shots, followed by Karimi at three.
• Karimi leads Niagara with three shots on goal, while Hector Solorio Villalpando placed two shots on goal in the Belmont loss.

 
Across the Pitch
Central Connecticut Blue Devils (0-1)

• The Blue Devils take on Niagara in their second all-time meeting, Central Connecticut leads the all-time series at 1-0.
• UMass-Lowell defeated Central Connecticut in a 2-1 overtime decision to open the season on Aug. 25.
• Junior Louis Beddouri scored the first goal of the season for Blue Devils, and goalkeeper Nick Velleca picked up an assist. Velleca made four saves but took the loss in his first game of the season.
• Sophomore Andres Muriel Albino led the Blue Devils with three total shots.

Vermont Catamounts (1-1)

• Vermont opened its season Aug. 25 with a sound 4-1 road victory over the Hartwick Hawks before suffering a 2-1 overtime loss to San Diego State on Aug. 27.
• Niagara heads to Vermont's Virtue Field for the first time in five seasons this weekend still looking for their first-ever win over the Catamounts.
• Geo Alves leads Vermont in goals (three), points (seven), shots (13), and shots on goal (six) through two games.
• Tom Cole ranks second in scoring with one goal and one assist, while Jon arnar Barddal has one assist and ranks second on the team with six shots.
• Goalkeeper Aron Runarsson has played every minute in goal for the Catamounts this season. He sports a 1.46 goals-against average and .625 save percentage with five total saves.

Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for men's soccer updates, follow @NiagaraSoccer. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook.com/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.