Box Score TOWSON, Md. Sophomore Anna Borea scored her first career game-winning goal on a cross from Karolyn Collins in the 10th minute and the Stags defense did not bend in winning their fourth game of the season. The Stags withstood temperatures that rose to nearly 90 degrees and a barrage of Towson shots for their second shutout of the season.
“The team grinded out a tough win on the road,” Head Coach Jim O'Brien said. “The hot and humid weather did not help us keeping our composure.”
Fairfield (4-1-0) got on the board just ten minutes into the match when Collins received a pass on a free kick from Jessica Broadbent and crossed the ball into the front where Borea touched the pass into the goal for her first goal of the season. The assist given to Collins was also her first points of the year.
For the final 35 minutes of the first half neither side could find many opportunities on the offensive front. There were two shots combined, both taken by the Stags in the first half. It was the first time all year where the Stags did not allow a single shot in a half.
In the second stanza, Towson (1-3-1) managed to test the Stags defense but the back line was up for the challenge. The Tigers outshot Fairfield 6-4 in the final 45 minutes including five straight midway through the second half. All five of those opportunities went wide of the goal.
Towson's best opportunity of the second half came when Gabby Scirica looped a ball into the goal but was whistled dead for offsides. It was one of three infractions whistled against the Tigers
The home team was only able to get one shot on target and it came in the final three minutes of the contest. Freshman Kelsey Ritter released a shot at the net that was saved by Kathleen Early for her only stop of the contest.
Towson's Erin Quinn picked up three saves in the game seeing nine shots compared to six for Towson. There were 13 combined corners in the match, with the Stags having a 7-6 edge. Fairfield was whistled for 11 fouls and Towson committed six infractions.
“We were fortunate to come away with a win,” Coach O'Brien said. “We will get back to the drawing board to improve for our next game at American University and beyond.”
The 4-1 record marks the sixth time that the Stags have won four of their first five matches, and the first time since 2008. Fairfield will look to continue their momentum when they travel to the nation's capital for a game against American on Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
