Box Score

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Sophomore Jon Clements scored the game's only goal in the 95th minute to lift the Fairfield University men's soccer team to a 1-0 overtime win against nationally-ranked Iona College.

The victory extended the Stags' unbeaten streak to eight games (7-0-1) and kept the team unbeaten in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play at 6-0-1. Iona, Loyola, and Niagara are closest with two conference losses each. While the win may not clinch the regular-season title, it certainly gives Fairfield a strong edge heading into the final weekend of conference play.

This game was everything a college soccer match should be, especially one that would decide first place in the conference. Fairfield came in with a 5-0-1 record, and the Gaels were right behind at 5-1-0. Fairfield came out as aggressive as it had been all year, catching their nationally-ranked opponent off guard. So much so, that Fairfield finished the half by not allowing a single Iona shot. The Stags went into halftime with a 9-0 edge in that department.

Fairfield had several opportunities in the first half, most of which came off corner kicks. Clements took five corner kicks in the opening 45 minutes, two of which nearly resulted in a goal. Jack Burridge had one cross skid just over his head early in the half, while Adam Cowen nearly broke the scoreless tie with a strong header that just went wide.

The second half saw a small turn in momentum as Iona began to apply more pressure and use its speeds down the sides to try and break the Stags defense. But Fairfield had an answer each time, including two stellar saves by goalkeeper Michael O'Keeffe. The sophomore made one diving save off a shot by Samuel Adjei that was headed for the near corner.

Iona's best opportunity came late in the second half when Ignacio Maganto entered the box and drew O'Keeffe off his line. Maganto sent the ball to the center of the box, the pass just eluding O'Keeffe's outstretched arms. Adjet reached for the cross but got too much of the ball and sent the shot over the cross bar.

Fairfield also had its share of chances in the second half, starting with an opportunity started in the midifield. Cowen made a run down the near sideline and received a pass from central midfield that sent him running in stride. The defender beat one defender and unleashed a shot that forced Borja Barbero to dive low to his right.

Minutes later, Brendan Cristobal created space in the box that allowed him to spin around his defender, creating an opening which he sent a shot toward the far post. The ball just went wide of the post to keep the game scoreless.

Both teams took a shot in the overtime, but it was Fairfield's lone attempt that made the difference. Clements secured the ball outside the box on the left side. He sliced through one defender, kept the ball on his feet past another defender, giving him control in the center of the box. He hit a shot that went past Barbero just inside the post for the game's only goal.

The result improved Fairfield's overtime record to 3-0-1 with all four games coming over the last six outings.

The Stags finish up the regular season by hosting Manhattan College on Friday, October 28 before closing out the weekend with a home game against Saint Peter's on October 30.