Box Score

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- The men's soccer team opened the 2011 season one day later than expected due to the wrath of Hurricane Irene. The game was slated for Sunday afternoon but was put off a day. The Stags came up a goal short against the 25th-ranked Boston College Eagles, dropping a 2-1 decision.

The two teams played a scoreless first half as defense dominated on both sides of the field. The two teams managed just eight shots in the opening 45 minutes with the Eagles holding a slight advantage at 5-3. Fairfield goalkeeper Michael O'Keeffe was not forced to make a save in the first half, while his counterpart Justin Luthy collected one stop.

In the second half, Boston College broke through with the game's first goal in the 68th minute. Charlie Rugg sent a ball into the box which found its way to Kyle Bekker. Bekker finished the scoring play by beating O'Keeffe to the left side which pushed the Eagles in front by a 1-0 count.

Fairfield continued to apply pressure up front, a tactic which paid dividends in the 72nd minute. Matt Danaher put the ball in the box which was deflected in front of the goal. Several players hovered around the loose ball before Jordan Aryis put his foot on the ball and released a shot that caught the far corner for a 1-1 score.

The game moved toward overtime as the final minutes clicked off the clock. Bekker put those thoughts of extra time on hold when he took a free kick from 19 yards that beat O'Keeffe to the corner, giving the home team a 2-1 lead with less than three minutes on the clock.

O'Keeffe finished the game with one save while Luthy tallied three saves for Boston College.

Fairfield returns to action on September 2 when it hosts Columbia University at Lessing Field in the Stags' season home opener. Game time is slated for 7 pm.