FAIRFIELD, Conn. – In her first career start, Bryant goalkeeper Rachel Brightman recorded nine saves and surrendered just a penalty goal, as Bryant was able to sneak past the Stags 3-1 on Sunday. For the second-straight match, the Stags dominated the second half (out-shooting the Bulldogs 8-3), but it was not enough to overcome an early deficit.

“She was solid in the net but we didn't really test her like we wanted to,” Head Coach Jim O'Brien said about the play of Brightman. “We were predictable in what we did and didn't get her to leave her feet like we could have. But she made every play that she was expected to make.”

All three goals for Bryant (1-4) were of the unlucky variety for the Stags (1-5). The first one came in the 20^th minute when a Bulldog striker sent a kick in the box weakly that took a few bounces. A Fairfield defender left her feet to deflect the shot away, but it went off her head and right into the goal. It was the first own goal against the Stags this season.

The second came off a missile of a free kick from Hannah Crofut, who sent her shot over the wall of Fairfield defenders and into the upper right corner of the goal for her first score of the season.

The final score for the visiting side came when Alyssa Riccione sent a desperation shot near the goal but it was misplayed by the Fairfield goalkeeper and found the back of the net.

Finding themselves down 3-0 with fewer than 30 minutes to play, Fairfield tried to mount their comeback. The Stags would attempt four of the final five shots of the match (the only Bryant shot came in the closing seconds).

Elena Santos set up the first goal for the Stags, when the freshman was taken down in the box and Fairfield was rewarded a penalty kick. Anna Borea successfully converted the opportunity and the Stags still had life.

Although the offense put the pressure up, shots from Holly Habyan, Jenny Jacobs, and Santos all could not find the back of the net. That capped a second half where the Stags dominated almost every aspect of the game. Fairfield out-shot Bryant 8-3 in the frame and did not allow a shot for the final 26 minutes of the stanza.

Having the pace of play, Fairfield put five shots on goal, but Brightman made every save during live action.

“It's definitely a bonus for the team that they can take the positives of the second half but we have to convert on the chances that we get,” O'Brien said. “We can't concede goals like that which really deflates the team. We're hoping that Jenna Pike can step up for us in the games to come.”

Pike had five saves, all-coming in the first half. Sophia DeVita recorded one save as she was a second half substitute.

Fairfield tries once again to get their first home win of the season when they host Rhode Island on Friday at 7pm.