The Niagara men’s soccer team completes this week’s two-game road trip on Saturday, Oct. 15, when the Purple Eagles face off against the Fairfield Stags. Following Saturday’s contest, which is slated for a 7 p.m. opening kick, the Purple Eagles play three of their final four regular-season contests at Niagara Field.
The Purple Eagles began the week with a 3-0 loss to the Saint Peter’s Peacocks in Jersey City, N.J.
Saint Peter’s forward Louis Mobbs scored twice in the opening 23 minutes of the contest to open up a two-goal lead for the Peacocks early. Gabrielle Bandetti made it 3-0 Saint Peter’s in the 40th minute, and Niagara turned to Joel Gerberich in goal to start the second half. After being outshot 7-0 in the first 45 minutes, Niagara held a 14-1 advantage in that category during the second half. Niagara also had nine second-half corner kicks after having none in the first.
Shiquan Lowe, Absalom Solorio Villalpando, and Bautista Pedezert all had shots on goal in the first 10 minutes after halftime. Lowe finished with a match-high four shots and three shots on goal. Mbongeni Tshuma, Mackenzie Roach and Owen Carter each registered one shot on goal in the match. Despite the eight shots on goal in the second half, all eight were turned away by Saint Peter’s goalkeeper Jamie Cleland.
Niagara has one of the MAAC’s leading scoring defenses this season. The team has given up 1.30 goals per game this season, currently fifth-best in the conference. Goalkeeper Steve Casey has a 1.39 goals-against average, .722 save percentage, and three shutouts in the 2016 seaosn. Joel Gerberich has played 135 minutes this season and allowed one goal, making six saves in the process for a 0.67 goals-against average and .857 save percentage. Twelve of Niagara’s 22 points this season have come from freshmen, led by midfielder Mackenzie Roach (two goals, one assist). Freshmen Absalom Solorio Villalpando and Mbongeni Tshuma each have one goal and one assist this season, and Borna Juracic has one assist while starting 11 of 12 matches on the back line.
Fairfield enters Saturday’s match with Niagara on a three-game winning streak, earning conference victories over Iona, Saint Peter’s, and Marist. The Stags rank fifth in the conference in scoring offense (1.36 goals per game) and fourth in scoring defense (1.19 goals against per game). Fairfield goalkeeper Joe Martin leads the MAAC with a 0.70 goals-against average in addition to a .824 save percentage. Ben Wignall is tied for third in the conference with five goals in the 2016 campaign. Diego Casielles leads Fairfield, and is tied for fourth in the MAAC, with four assists.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT
