FAIRFIELD, Conn. – For the first time in program history, the Fairfield women's soccer team will be making the 40 minute drive up to Hamden, Conn to face their in-state rival Quinnipiac. The Stags and Bobcats faced each other last year for their first meeting in Division I.
HOW TO WATCH: Fans can WATCH the game live or follow along on LIVE STATS
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Fairfield improved to a 7-2-1 record by winning their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) contest of the season, 1-0, against Rider. It was the 19th time in 23 seasons that the Stags have started their MAAC slate 1-0. Fairfield was out shot 20-4 and managed only one attempt in the first half. The Stags broke through with just three minutes left in the game when Ashley Small took a pass from Faith Daley to score in the upper right corner. It was the fourth goal of the season for Small and the 11th game-winning goal of her career. Daley tallied her first collegiate assist. Kathleen Early was terrific once again in the net, finishing with eight saves in the contest.
LOOK THERE WE ARE!: With seven wins in their first 10 games, the women's soccer team is off to their best start since 2008, their last MAAC Championship year. The Stags are being recognized in the national polls, owning the 53rd slot in the latest NCAA RPI rankings. The rank is 60 spots ahead of the next closest MAAC school, Niagara. The Stags are currently ranked ahead of schools such as Michigan State (54th), Kentucky (55th), and Alabama (82nd).
EARLY WINS AGAIN: For the second time in the last three weeks, Kathleen Early was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the Week. It is the third weekly honor in Early's career. Early continued her breakout season by recording her fourth shutout, blanking Rider 1-0 and recording eight saves. Early's best save came late in the second half, when she fully extended on a Rider shot to tip the ground ball away from her right side to keep the game scoreless. Early saw 20 shots in the game that was played in Fairfield's territory for the majority of the time. She is still the top-ranked keeper in program history in terms of goals against average (GAA) allowing just north of 0.70 per contest. Early also ranks fifth in shutouts (19), fifth in wins (25), and seventh in saves (151).
THE SERIES WITH QUINNIPIAC: Despite being separated by only 30 miles, the two teams will meet for just the second time in program history. Fairfield and Quinnipiac fought to a 0-0 draw last season, the only tie for the Stags during their 18-game unbeaten home streak. Fairfield out-shot the Bobcats 16-9 and had an 11-3 advantage in corner kicks. Early recorded five saves in the contest.
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS: Quinnipiac owns a 1-6-1 record, but has four points in their last four games. The Bobcats' lone win came against Vermont, when Jessica Fontaine scored the first goal of the 2014 campaign, after the team was scoreless in their first four contests. Quinnipiac has scored three goals this season, all netted in the last four contests, with three different players touching the net. The Bobcats are coming off a 4-1 loss to Niagara with Danielle Maggio scoring her first goal of the season. In goal, junior Natalia Grodzki has started seven games and is allowing 1.52 goals per game while stopping 75 percent of her chances.
UP NEXT: Fairfield continues their road swing when they travel to Marist College on Saturday, October 4 with a 7pm kickoff.
