FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- For the sixth time this season, the Fairfield University men's soccer season will host an opponent at Lessing Field. The Stags welcome Northeastern University to the Fairfield campus on Friday night with the game time slated for 7 pm.
The Stags have posted a 1-1-3 record so far on their seven-game home stand. Fairfield owns a 1-0-2 mark in its last three games, playing Boston College and Massachusetts to scoreless ties in the last two contests. The team's defense has been stellar all season long, but especially over the last three games where the opposition has tallied just one goal in 321 minutes of play.
Goalkeeper
Michael O'Keeffe has provided his teammates with a strong last line of defense, posting a .929 save percentage and 0.28 goals against average over the last three games. The sophomore has allowed one goal and made 13 saves in those contests, including five saves without surrendering a goal against 13th-ranked Boston College on Tuesday night.
The back four consists of
Adam Cowen,
Jean Fauchet,
Jonny Raj, and
Todd Rutledge, giving O'Keeffe and the Stags dependable play all season long. The foursome has also been active offensively, setting up and finishing scoring chances throughout the year.
Erik Ilisije, the reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) offensive player of the week, remains the team's top scorer with four points, netting two goals which includes the game-winner against Yale. Midfielder
David Piedrahita and Cowen are next in line with two points, each scoring a goal.
Northeastern opened its season with three losses before halting the streak with a 3-0 win against Hartwick earlier this week. Ryan Burnham scored two of the team's three goals to post the win, and is the team's leading scorer with four points. Michael Kennedy is next in line with three points, registering a goal and an assist so far.
Goalkeeper Oliver Blum owns a 1.72 goals against average with a .731 save percentage, recording 19 saves in four games. He posted a shutout against Hartwick after making eight saves in 90 minutes.
Fairfield finishes up its season-opening seven-game home stand when it hosts St. Francis College on September 22 at Lessing Field. Game time is set for 7 pm.
