Worcester, Mass. – Senior goalkeeper Kathleen Early recorded a new career-best 12 saves and held off a barrage of 23 shots to give the Stags a hard fought draw at rival Holy Cross.  The tie was the first of the season for both teams and stops Holy Cross' six-game winning streak.

The Crusaders (6-0-1) gave the Stags (5-1-1) one tense moment in the final overtime period.  After being whistled for their 14^th foul, the Stags defended a free kick which was taken by Claire Malone but the kick instead was sent directly on goal and caught by Kathleen Early for her 12^th save of the game.

"Kathleen was outstanding tonight and was the difference for us getting the draw on the road," Head Coach Jim O'Brien said.  "Her first half performance was her best ever and although she conceded a goal in the second, she remained solid throughout."

Pam Coufos gave the Stags the first shot of the overtime period when the sophomore lined the chance to the middle of the goal but it was caught by senior Carly McCabe.  The Crusaders also were able to find a shot on target when their leading scorer rookie Aly Spencer fired a hard one-bouncer that was also picked up by Early.

In the second half, after many shots for the Crusaders, the home team broke through in the 73^rd minute when Malone sent a free kick into the box where Sarah Price was able to get her head on the ball and touch it into goal just over the fingertips of Early.  It was the 19^th shot taken by Holy Cross.

Fairfield was able to fight back just two minutes later when Jessica Broadbent sent a corner kick into the box that was hit to Anna Borea who scored for the second time in three games.  It was also the first assist of the season for Broadbent. The Stags almost got the late win when Faith Daley lined a shot on the near post but McCabe was able to knock the ball down and it was eventually cleared from trouble with less than two minutes to play.

After a scoreless first half, the Stags were able to play much more up pace in the second frame.  Fairfield took their first shot on goal in the 57^th minute when Coufos forced McCabe to dive to her left after she connected on a touch pass from Cassidy Boegel. 

The Crusaders nearly broke the scoreless match when a cross came into the box intended for Jenna Scanlon.  Early was able to get a touch on the ball but Scanlon was still able to keep possession right in front of the goal until Megan O'Brien was able to clear the trouble from the area.

The senior goalkeeper Early kept the Stags in the game during a first half that was mostly controlled by the Crusaders. Coming in with the 25^th best scoring offense in the country, Holy Cross managed to take six shots in the first 15 minutes with two on goal.  The best opportunity came when Gina Righini fired a shot that looked destined for the back of the net, but Early leaped to tip the ball over the crossbar. Price also had a chance for the home side but her shot off the corner hit the bar and the Crusaders were turned away again.   

With 18 minutes to go in the period, Holy Cross' Spencer unleashed a shot to the far post but Early made another good stop diving to her right forcing a corner kick.  Early would finish with seven saves in the first 45 minutes, which was the most in any game for Fairfield since 2012.  The Stags would go without a shot for 30 minutes in the period, with their first chance coming off the left foot of O'Brien that sailed high just three minutes into the game.  Erin Pettersen ended the drought but her opportunity also sailed high.  The Crusaders outshot Fairfield 14-3 in the first period.

For the first time this season the Stags were outshot by their opponent (23-12) but shots were an even 9-9 after the first half.  The Stags allowed four corners (none after the first half) while taking two of their own.  Fairfield was whistled for 14 fouls compared to five infractions for the home team.

Fairfield will make a brief home stop as they host Stony Brook on Sunday, September 14 at 2 p.m.  The Stags will look to defend their program-long 16-game unbeaten streak at home.  Fans can purchase tickets to every Fairfield women soccer home game online.  Tickets for every home game are $7 for adults and $5 for youth and seniors.