Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Jack Burridge (South Shields, England) entered the 2011 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament with three goals in 14 regular-season games and two postseason contests. But the graduate student showed why he will leave the program as one of the top scorers all-time by scoring three goals on Monday afternoon, lifting the Fairfield University men's soccer team to a 3-1 win over sixth-seeded Manhattan College in the MAAC tournament championship game The victory also earned the Stags an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.

"It is very satisfying and rewarding for all the hard work that this group has put in this year," Head Coach Carl Rees said after the game. "It almost seems that it was inevitable the way we would win games, coming from behind and scoring in the last minute several times. I am very happy for everyone involved with the program and the University."

After a one-goal effort in their quarterfinal match with Rider, the Stags had little trouble finding the back of the net in the semifinals (3-1 win over Marist) and this afternoon. But it was Burridge who was the catalyst this afternoon, scoring a goal in the 26th, 66th, and 72nd minute of the game.

"Jack is just a natural goal scorer," Head Coach Carl Rees said after the game. "You can't teach the instincts he has inside the penalty area. He knows how to solve problems tactically. He has lived and breathed football since he was a kid and that shows up in how he plays the game."

The top-seeded Stags applied pressure throughout the opening 20 minutes of the game, getting half a dozen shots toward the Jasper goal. The frustration came to a quick end in the 26th minute when Manhattan was whistled for a foul just outside the box. Jon Clements stood over the ball and sent it toward the near post where Burridge was stationed. The forward went up and redirected the ball with a header, a shot which caught the far post before bouncing back across the line for a 1-0 lead.

The one-goal advantage remained through the start of the second half with each team getting a couple of chances. About 20 minutes into the half, the Stags were awarded a corner kick which again was sent to the near post. A Manhattan defender deflected the ball away, but the ball trickled to the feet of Burridge. He sent a shot back toward goal that went between the legs of goalkeeper George Ellis, giving the Stags a 2-0 cushion.

The final goal came with 18 minutes remaining off another set piece from Clements. The sopomore direct the free kick toward the far post giving an opportunity to Burridge. He cut on a diagonal from eight yards and found open space near the goal. He redirected the ball with a header that just tucked itself inside the post for a 3-0 advantage.

The Stags kept the Jaspers away from goal until late in the game when the team finally broke through in the final minutes. Goalkeepers Michael O'Keeffe and senior Doug Freeman joined forces for the afternoon to provide the defensive support necessary for the victory.

The win extended Fairfield's unbeaten streak to 13 games, sporting a 12-0-1 mark over that stretch. Fairfield improved its overall record to 12-4-1 and did not lose a game against a MAAC opponent this year (8-0-1 regular season and 3-0-0 in MAAC tournament).

Four Stags earned a spot on the MAAC All-Tournament team including three of the team's defensive unit. Goalkeeper Michael O'Keeffe (Christchurch, New Zealand), defender Adam Cowen (Christchurch, New Zealand), and defender Jack Cleverley (Dorset, England) were on the team. Burridge was named the MAAC tournament most valuable player for his three-game performance.

Fairfield will now wait for its opponent in the upcoming NCAA tournament, with first round action scheduled on November 17-19. Check www.fairfieldstags.com for more information regarding the NCAA tournament selection and play. 

"I am very happy for everyone who has worked so hard this season," Coach Rees said. "I believe this team is worthy of an NCAA tournament appearances. We are proud to represent the MAAC as we play the nation's top teams in the NCAA tourney."