2012 Season Continues
The Niagara men’s soccer team travels to Syracuse, N.Y. for a non-conference match-up against the Syracuse Orange on Friday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. before returning to Monteagle Ridge on Sunday, Sept. 2 for its home opener against the Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix at 1 p.m. at Niagara Field. 

Follow The Purple Eagles
Live Stats for Friday evening's game against Syracuse and Sunday’s game against Green Bay will be available. To access live stats, please click on the appropriate links above.
 
Scouting Syracuse
Syracuse began the 2012 season with a 2-0 shutout over Albany.  The Orange welcome back a strong core of returning players, including senior forward Louis Clark, the top goal scorer (6) and point getter (14) from last season.  Senior forward Lars Muller and sophomore forward Grant Chong also returns to the mix.
 
All-Time Against The Orange
Friday's non-conference game will be the 15th time the two squads have faced each other. Niagara is 3-12-0 all-time against Syracuse. The last meeting between the two squads was on Aug. 25, 2006 in which the Orange came out the victor in a 3-1 win.
 
Scouting Wisconsin-Green Bay
The Purple Eagles welcome Green Bay to Niagara Field with a record of 1-1-0.  The Phoenix returns two of their top three scorers in junior Sam Krenzien and sophomore Allen Kirby.  Green Bay will look to senior goalkeeper Ryan Wehking to hold up the defensive end.  He has already recorded his program-record 20^th shutout in Green Bay’s victory over Northern Kentucky this season. 

All-Time Against The Phoenix
Friday's non-conference game will be the second time the two squads have faced each other. Niagara won the first meeting, 2-0 on Sept, 16, 2011.  Senior forward Callum Willmott scored the second tally of the game, while sophomore midfielder Jacob Ohlin contributed an assist in the first goal. 
 
Last Time Out
Niagara opened the season with the Duquesne Invitational where the Purple Eagles earned the tournament title after securing a 1-1-0 record.  On Friday, Niagara played Pittsburgh to a 1-1 standstill and returned Sunday to outduel Duquesne in a 4-2 victory.  Senior defender Rene De Zorzi was named tournament co-MVP, while senior forward Bryan Da Cruz and rookies Daniel Ulicny and Julian Ekeze were named to the All-Tournament Team. 
 
Dominating De Zorzi
Senior defender Rene De Zorzi was named the co-MVP of the Duquesne Invitational after two solid performances for the Purple Eagles opening weekend.  In the 1-1 draw to Pittsburgh, De Zorzi netted the lone goal for Niagara, while holding down the defensive end in the convincing 4-2 victory against Duquesne.   
 
Traveling In September
After facing Green Bay, Niagara travels to play New Hampshire on Friday, Sept. 7 and Vermont on Sunday, Sept. 9 in the Smith Barney Classic.  Both games are scheduled for 1:30 p.m.  The following Friday, the Purple Eagles head to Dayton, Ohio to play Wright State at 7 p.m.