Staff Report
The Niagara University men’s soccer team claimed its highest regional ranking ever on Tuesday when they were placed second in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s North Atlantic poll.
The Purple Eagles, who defeated Longwood and Florida Atlantic to win the Coastal Carolina University/Adidas Invitational championship over the weekend, also received one vote in the NSCAA’s national poll.
Niagara’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference rival Loyola topped the North Atlantic poll for the second straight week, and was the top unranked team in the national poll after receiving 47 votes.
Fellow MAAC schools Fairfield and Siena came in sixth and 10th, respectively, in the North Atlantic poll. Longwood was ninth.
The Purple Eagles make their home debut this weekend when they host the Niagara Falls Classic. Niagara meets Oakland, the fifth-ranked team in the Mid-West region, under the lights at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the new Niagara Field. They also play St. Francis, the fifth-ranked team in the North Atlantic region, at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
MAAC awards Durand, Haworth
Niagara’s Matt Durand was named co-player of the week by the MAAC on Tuesday after notching two goals and three assists in the season’s first two games. Carl Haworth, who scored the game-tying goal against Longwood, was named rookie of the week.
NCCC wins opener
C.J. Puff (Newfane) scored 25 seconds into the game and the Trailblazers never looked back, defeating Jamestown-Olean in their season opener.
Kyle Weaver (Kenmore East), Derek Hornung (Niagara Falls), Curtis Waugaman (Tonawanda) and Chris Zitterbart (Starpoint) also tallied goals in the first home contest of the year at NCCC. Hornung and Waugaman added assists, while Sean Mauer (Niagara-Wheatfield) earned the shutout.
“Our back four played really, really strong,” coach Jon Williams said, “limiting them to just two shots.”
UB shuts out Siena
Tonawanda native Bobby Shuttleworth need to make just two saves as the Bulls won 2-0 at Siena to stay unbeaten on the season. Steffen Thoresen and Rich Wilson scored for UB (2-0).
Lozzi, Smyth make tourney team
Stephanie Lozzi (Lewiston-Porter) and Briana Smuth (North Tonawanda) represented D’Youville on all-Alfred University Soccer Tournament team. Lozzi is a freshman midfielder and Smyth is a sophomore forward.
The Spartans lost to Penn State-Altoona and Hilbert. They play their first home game against SUNY Canton at 4 p.m. Saturday in Elma.
