LEWISTON — Time to put that shiny new homefield advantage to use.

The Niagara men’s soccer team begins a three-game homestand that could decide its postseason destiny Saturday night when it hosts rival Canisius.

The Purple Eagles are currently 2-2 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, tied for fourth place with Canisius and Marist, whom they host on Senior Day next Sunday.

Four teams will qualify for next month’s conference tournament, and Niagara coach Dermot McGrane said it usually takes five or six wins to get into the top four.

“Six wins would guarantee it,” he said. “Five wins, you can still make it.”

“If we win all three of these home games and pick up a win on the road, we’ll be in good shape,” said sophomore forward Carl Haworth, who had two goals in last year’s 4-0 win at Canisius.

Niagara opened MAAC play by scoring seven goals in two home wins. Then they went on the road last weekend and gave up seven goals in losses at Loyola and Rider. McGrane said Loyola, the preseason favorite to win the MAAC, clearly out-played them.

“But we were the better team at Rider,” he said. “We’re just lacking consistency right now.”

McGrane thinks playing at home will help. The Purple Eagles were 6-2-1 at Niagara Field last year, and are getting more comfortable on the surface with every practice.

There’s also the motivational factor of playing Canisius with the all-time series tied 20-20-3.

“We always get pumped up for Canisius,” said goalkeeper John Fiutowski, who leads the MAAC in saves per game (7.15).

“Hopefully we’ll have about 1,000 fans cheering us on, and that should help us win,” Haworth said. “We beat them 4-0 last year, so we know we’re capable of it. But that’s also something that can work in their favor. They lost so they’ll want to get back at us. We’ll just have to stick it to them again.”

UB hosts No. 1 Akron

The Akron Zips have long been the top team in the Mid-American Conference, but they come to UB Stadium tonight ranked atop the whole country. In building a 13-0 record on the season, Akron has out-scored opponents 36-2 and has yet to allow a first-half goal.

UB has met Akron in two recent MAC finals, but in the two teams’ last five meetings, the Bulls have been out-scored 44-9.

The Bulls are struggling this year. Having lost three straight since beating Niagara at home on Oct. 2, UB is 5-8 on the year and 0-3 in the MAC with only four games to go before the conference tournament.

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.



GAME NIGHT

n WHO: Niagara and Canisius

n WHAT: Men’s Soccer

n WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday

n WHERE: Niagara Field

n NOTES: Both teams are 2-2 in MAAC play, tied with Marist for fourth place in the standings. Four teams will qualify for the conference tournament. ... Niagara’s offensive trio of Levi Tesch (four goals, one assist), Stephen Kauble (four goals, one assist) and Carl Haworth (three goals, three assists) all rank in the top 10 in the MAAC in points. Keeper John Fiutowski leads the MAAC at 7.15 saves per game. ... The all-time series is tied 20-20-3. ... Niagara is 5-3-1 against its local rivals this decade.