FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- It may be a while before Fairfield soccer fans will be able to cheer on their Stags this Fall as the men's soccer team will play its first five games on the road before playing its home opener in mid-September. A trip to Florida is included in that five-game season opening road trip, the first of two swings through the Sunshine State.
"We always try to play a non-conference schedule that challenges our student-athletes and prepares them for the rigors of the MAAC season," Head Coach Carl Rees said. "This year's schedule will provide us with an opportunity to play several quality programs both within and out of region."
Fairfield will open the 2015 campaign by playing five road games in four different states, beginning with the season opener on August 28 against the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) on August 28. Two days later, the Stags will head to the University of Delaware for a Sunday match up with the Blue Hens. Both UMBC and Delaware reached double figures in the win column last season with the Retrievers posting 14 victories and the Blue Hens finishing up with 13 wins.
The road trip continues with a pair of games in Florida during Labor Day weekend, beginning with a September 3 contest with Florida International University. The Stags will finish up the weekend on September 6 against Florida Atlantic University. The fifth road game of the season sends the Stags to Northeastern University on September 12.
Coach Rees debuts his team at home on September 19 when Fairfield will play Fordham University at 7 pm on Lessing Field. The Rams have enjoyed a great deal of success under Jim McElderry, who spent four seasons as a member of the Fairfield soccer program from 1989-92. Fairfield hosts Army on September 22 to close out its two-game home stand and as well as its non-conference schedule.
Fairfield begins Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play on September 30 when it travels to Manhattan College. The Stags start the home portion of their conference schedule on October 3 with a 7 pm game against Canisius College. Two more road games place the Stags at Iona College on October 7 and at Marist on October 10.
The team plays four of its next five games at home, wrapping a pair of two-game home stands around an October 21 away game with Quinnipiac. The run at Lessing Field begins on October 14 against Siena College at 7 pm followed by an October 17 contest against Monmouth University. T
The final two home games are slated for October 24 against Rider and October 28 versus Saint Peter's with both outings scheduled for 7 pm. The regular-season comes to an end on October 31 at Niagara University, the final match before the MAAC plays the 2015 tournament in Orlando at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
For game and group ticket information for all Fairfield men's soccer home games, please contact the Athletics Ticket Office at (203) 254-4103.
