UB Men's Soccer Preview vs Franklin Pierce University

After coming off an impressive win season opening win last Saturday over 12th ranked Southern Connecticut State University, the Purple Knights will face a tough test on Thursday when they travel to Rindge, NH and take on Franklin Pierce University. The Ravens are currently ranked second in the east region after defeating both Bloomfield College and Wilmington College to start the 2011 season at 2-0.

The goal scoring on Saturday came from senior Josh Pellegrini and junior Lee Middleton, while junior goalkeeper Danny Hernandez recorded his first shutout of the season.

Since 2008, Franklin Pierce has won two out of three matches with both teams tieing to a 0-0 OT tie in 2009. The key players for the Ravens this year are junior Amory Houghton, who is leading the team in points with four and seniors Tom Rilley and Diego Tabares, who each are tied for second on the team in scoring. Senior goalkeeper Vinny Papageorgiouis off to 2-0 start and has a .857 save percentage.

Brian Quinn, head coach of the UB men's soccer team, said that Franklin Pierce will be a tough match up.

"It will be a different type of test but it is going to be the same level of attack and test for us," Quinn said. You are going to have to go in and play without Devon [Thomas] and it will alittle bit hotter since it [the game] will be in the middle of the afternoon versus the evening where it is alittle cooler. Our depth is going to be a question when we go up there."

Next home game for the Purple Knights will be Saturday vs U-Mass Lowell at 1 p.m. at Knights Field. The Riverhawks finished the 2010 season at 3-11-2 overall but defeated UB last season 1-0 in Lowell, MA. Admission is free to the game.