FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Put this one under the category "just not meant to be."

For nearly the entire game, the Fairfield University men's soccer dominated play and dictated pace but in the end it was LIU Brooklyn that prevailed as a goal in the 89th minute decided this game. The Blackbirds scored the game-winner with 1:21 remaining in regulation to post a 2-1 win over the Stags, ending the team's three-game winning streak.

When you look at the statistics, Fairfield held an advantage right down the line. In shots, it was the Stags with a 17-5 edge. In corner kicks, it was the Stags with a 14-1 edge. But in scoring, LIU Brooklyn took advantage of their only corner kick of the game to set up the winning goal. After the initial play was denied by the defense, the Blackbirds retained possession after the initial clear. Tanner Sica controlled the ball from the left side of the box and sent a ball into the center. Kevin Lockhart accepted the ball and took one step toward goal before releasing a shot that caught the far corner of the goal.

But the most frustrating part of this defeat was the opportunities that Fairfield had in closing minutes that did not produce a goal. Twice in the final eight minutes, the Stags were robbed the right goal post. With 8:01 on the clock, Justin Lewis, who entered the game just four minutes earlier, curled a shot that beat the LIU Brooklyn back four as well as the goalkeeper, but the ball caromed off the post and came back into play.

And with four seconds on the clock, the Stags were awarded a free kick two yards outside the box far left. Jake Zuniga also spun a shot that curved toward goal beyond the Blackbirds defense. Once again, the ball hit the right post and bounced harmlessly out of play as time expired.

When the post was not frustrating the Fairfield offense, LIU Brooklyn goalkeeper John Connolly prevented the Stags from taking a lead. Fairfield manufactured an excellent opportunity with 10 minutes remaining. Jordan Ayris held the ball brought the ball into the box and chipped a perfect pass to the far post. Reco McLaren made a run toward goal and squarely struck the ball with his head, sending the ball toward goal. Connolly stretched out to stop the shot and keep the game tied. The goalkeeper also prevented Dan Shaw from netting the tie-breaking goal with a save at the 5:59 mark.

The Blackbirds led in this game on two occasions, the first coming in the 24^th minute. The ball was crossed from left to center box where the ball was mishit by a Fairfield defender and redirected into the goal for an own goal. That score would stand for nearly 20 minutes until McLaren tied the game with less than three minutes left in the half.

The scoring chance was set up when James Taylor broke free at 12 yards and sent a shot on goal that Connolly stopped. The ball ricocheted off Connolly and came back into play where McLaren one-timed a shot that was sent into the center of the net, making it a 1-1 game.

Fairfield will return to action on October 5 when the team opens Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play against Monmouth University. The game is slated for a 7 pm start.