Saturday, Sept. 30

vs. Quinnipiac

2:00 p.m.

Live Video

Live Stats

After facing a competitive non-conference schedule to open this season, the Niagara men's soccer team finally opens up MAAC play on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Niagara Field against the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Entering their second straight home game, the Purple Eagles look to start conference play in victorious fashion as they kick off from Niagara Field at 2 p.m.

Purple Points

• In their home opener, Niagara battled to a 1-1 draw against rival St. Bonaventure in the 50th all-time meeting.
• The Bonnies opened the scoring in the 38th minute direct from a free kick from Kieran Toland and took that 1-0 lead into halftime.
• Niagara tied the game in the 63rd minute behind Zulfikar Karimi. The Purple Eagles drew a foul call 30 yards out and when the initial free kick attempt from Bautista Pedezert was blocked, Karimi capitalized by volleying the rebound into the bottom corner past the outstretched goalkeeper.
• The sides went to overtime tied at one, where Niagara had the best chance to win it in the 95th minute. Luca Pacheco set himself up for a bicycle kick just inside the box that almost beat the Bonnies' keeper but was pushed just over the goal.
• Karimi now leads the team this season in points (five), shots (16), and shots on goal (nine). He is tied with Asante Carroll in goals (two).

Across the Pitch
Quinnipiac Bobcats (1-6-1, 0-0-1 MAAC)

• The Bobcats have faced off against two teams ranked in the top 25 in the NCAA, tying No. 25 UMass-Lowell 1-1 and losing to No. 14 New Hampshire 1-0.
• The Bobcats enter Saturday's game against Niagara winless in their last five games (0-4-1) but only being outscored by a combined score of 6-1.
• Juniors Matthew Taylor and Derek Parker have both scored one goal for Quinnipiac, the team's only goal scorers thus far.
• Junior Rashawn Dally leads the team in total shots (15) and is second in shots on goal behind James Doig (10) with seven.
• Sophomore goalkeeper Chrysostomos Iakovidis has played every minute in net for the Bobcats, recording 17 saves and is ranked fifth in the MAAC with a 1.33 goals-against average.

 
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.