Box Score WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senior Ashley Small tallied her third goal of the season off a feed from Karolyn Collins, to give the Fairfield University women's soccer team their fourth-consecutive victory. In doing so, Head Coach Jim O'Brien recorded his 96th career coaching victory, tying him for the program's all-time mark with his predecessor Maria Piechocki.
“After a sluggish first half the team responded with a better effort that was very encouraging,” Coach O'Brien said. “Winning two away from home is always challenging and we got the job done.
Small struck her 20th career goal in the 67th when the senior found a feed from Collins and struck the ball into the net from six yards out. It was the tenth career game-winner for Small who is now tied with Ahna Johnson ('08) for fourth in that category in program history. Fairfield is now 15-2 all-time when Small scores a goal. It was also the second-straight game where Collins has dished the game-winning assist
The Stags (5-1) and the Eagles (2-4) played closely throughout the first half with Fairfield edging the home side 5-4 in shots. Fairfield took the first three shots in the game in the span of seven minutes, with one going on target off the foot of Michelle Kowalski which forced goalkeeper Charlene Belanger to pick up the save. It was the only save of the first half for the American keeper.
Kathleen Early had her first opportunity in the 27th minute when Marley Jennings ripped a shot on target, but Early was up for the challenge picking up one of her two saves in the first half, the other coming in the 42nd minute also on a Jennings shot.
“Early and her back line were superb once again recording their second straight clean sheet,” O'Brien said. “Our reserves were also outstanding today complimenting a strong team effort.”
In the second frame the Eagles saw their first opportunity go into the hands of Early just three minutes from the start of the frame when Michaela Garcia's shot was saved by the senior. Fairfield would take the next five shots of the game capped off by the goal from Small in the 67th minute. Small had another shot on target in the 51st minute but Belanger stopped the shot again. Belanger also thwarted opportunities from Karolyn Collins and Kelsey Burke.
American would take five of the last six shots on the contest with Early picking up one save. The Eagles saw two desperation attempts in the final three minutes but shots from Danielle Beard and Sara Perlman sailed high.
For the game, Fairfield edged the Eagles 11-10 in shots, the sixth straight game where they outshot their opponents. The Stags took six corner kicks compared to three for American. Early tied a season-high with four saves for the third time this season while Belanger stopped five shots for the home side.
It is the fourth straight victory for Fairfield, the third straight season where they recorded a winning streak of four or more. It is also the sixth time that the Stags have won five of their first six games of the season and the first time since 2008.
Jim O'Brien and the Stags will try to break the program's coaching record in their next game on the road against rival Holy Cross on Thursday, September 11 at 7 p.m. The Stags return home on Sunday, September 14 at 2 p.m. against Stony Brook. The game will be streamed live on FairfieldStags.tv, fans can buy tickets to every women's soccer home game by clicking here.
