WEST POINT, N.Y.  – The Fairfield University women's soccer team started the 2014 season on the right foot after posting a 1-0 victory on the road against Army.  Sophomore Brenna Brown tallied the game-winner in helping the Stags to their first win over the Black Knights since 2006.

“We have gotten off to slow starts over the past two years and it was very important to get the win tonight,” head coach Jim O'Brien said.  “We brought the team in for pre-season training as early as the NCAA permits to get off to a good start and it paid off.”

Brown was the sparkplug on the offensive side for the Stags (1-0) putting back in a rebound in the 43rd minute for her sixth career tally. It was one of a career-high eight shots taken by Brown including six in the first half.  

“Brenna had a solid rookie year and her performance today was very encouraging,” O'Brien said.  “She had a dominant first half along with a classic finish and game winner.”

On the defensive side, the Stags held Army (0-1) without a shot for the first 28 minutes of the contest before Candace Stewart hit one wide.  That was the only attempt for the Black Knights with the Stags outshooting the home side 10-1 in the opening period.

Working with a 1-0 lead, the Stags were forced to stop four attempts from the Black Knights, who were whistled for three offsides including one infraction in the final four minutes.

Army's Jordan Cassalia finished with six saves in the contest, preventing three shots by Cassidy Boegel and one from Brown, Jessica Broadbent, and Molly Moran.  Kathleen Early registered her first and only save in the 54th minute, stopping a hard 25-yard shot by Katie Holder, en route to her 15th career shutout.

Fairfield finished with 18 shots compared to Army's five.  The Stags recorded five corner kicks in the contest with Army registering four.  Fairfield was also whistled for eight fouls with Army committing seven.

Fairfield is back in action on Sunday, August 24, when they travel to Rhode Island with kickoff scheduled for 1 pm.