Box Score Box Score
The Fairfield University women's soccer team played to a 0-0 draw with visiting Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) foe Loyola University Maryland on Friday evening.
The result moves the Stags to 4-6-5 on the year and 2-2-2 in league play, while the Greyhounds are now 5-10-1 overall and 3-2-1 in league action.
Both teams had multiple scoring chances in the overtime periods, starting 20 seconds into the first when Loyola's Lauren Norcia put a shot on net that was saved by Kelly Boudreau. Then Chantal Celestin had a chance, 2:21 later, that also was saved by Boudreau. The Stags nearly had the game won midway through that first overtime period when Shannon Fay accepted a pass from the opposite side of the box, but her shot rang off of the near post and out of danger.
The Stags started the chances in the second overtime as Lauren Reilly's header caromed off of the cross bar 1:55 into the final stanza. Loyola's best opportunity to win came in the 108th minute. Norcia's corner kick was turning towards the upper corner when Boudreau knocked it away to stymie the first chance. The rebound ended up bouncing at the top of the box where Nichole Schiro attempted a bicycle kick shot that went just. The final chance came with 13 seconds remaining as Emma Pichl launched a desperation shot that Didi Haracic corralled to preserve the tie.
Boudreau finished the game with seven saves, including three in the extra periods. In the 67th minute of play Celestin launched a shot from 45 yards out that was heading just under the cross bar, and Boudreau timed her leap perfectly to put the ball over the cross bar and preserve the tie. Haracic also stopped seven shots in cage for Loyola, with three in each of the first two –halves and then one in the second overtime period.
Fairfield out shot Loyola 20-9 for the game, with a 10-3 edge in the second-half and both teams recording four shots in overtime. The Stags also had a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks, with the Greyhounds earning the only two corner kicks of the overtime. Loyola committed three additional fouls, 16-13 in the game.
The Stags return to action on Sunday, October 23 as they host MAAC foe Rider University on Lessing Field. Game time is set for 1 p.m. and will be preceded by a ceremony honoring the Fairfield Class of 2012.
