FAIRFIELD, Conn. – If you talked to anyone associated with the Fairfield University women's soccer team throughout the week, you could just notice the sense of confidence and excitement the Stags had going up against the MAAC leaders Monmouth. That determination and grit was on full display for 110 heart pounding minutes at Lessing Field. Although the Stags did not come away with a win, their courage pushed them to become the first MAAC team this season to take a point from Monmouth, snapping the nation's fourth longest winning streak at seven with a 0-0 thrilling draw at home.
“They were very excited coming into this match,” Head Coach Jim O'Brien said. “We've had many battles with Monmouth since they've come into the league and they were really excited to play. They put it all out there on the field today.”
It was clear to see that the 17 players who stepped on the field tonight leave every ounce of their heart on the field, and even more. At the forefront was the defense that shutout the third highest scoring team in the country, the first time the Hawks were shutout since August 28. Coming into the match, Monmouth had tallied 41 goals, just one score shy of the national lead. And it took every player to help contribute to that shutout.
Sophomore goalkeeper Megan DeFeo more than doubled her previous career-high, finishing with nine saves in the contest. There were two shots that got by DeFeo all night. One came in the 79th minute, but the trickling ball was hit off the line to preserve the shutout. The other chance came when Julie Spracklin looked like she scored the first goal of the game in the 69th minute, but he score was waved off with the only offsides violation against the Hawks on the night.
That chance was just one of the many nail-biting moments the Stags and their fans had to nervously watch. Monmouth had several chances at the conclusion of the regulation and even late into the second overtime period. Madie Gibson and Alexis McTamney both had looks in front of the net with less than three minutes remaining, but their shots were off the mark and the Stags eventually settled for the scoreless draw.
On the offensive side, the Stags showed the courage they were building all week and set up several chances themselves. Going against a defense that surrendered just four goals in conference play, the Stags were able to get behind the best defensive backline in the MAAC by forcing five shots on goal. Brenna Brown took a game-high four shots on target, the closest coming in the 94th minute when the senior was able to get a breakaway, but was only able to get a touch on the ball with goalkeeper Amanda Knaub putting the pressure on by charging forward. Jenn Wahlig forced Knaub with her only diving stop of the night launching a shot well outside the 18 yard box that went untouched until Knaub dove to her right near the post.
“We put together a tactical game plan and they followed it to a tee,” Coach O'Brien said. “We had some matchups and the girls in the midfield dropped back to help out our defenders against a very potent offense. To shut them out is a major plus for our program.”
The Stags, who took their first result against Monmouth since a victory in 1997, was still out-shot by the league leaders 21-7 including a 17-5 mark after halftime.
Fairfield will now try and build on this emotional result when they recognize the program's six seniors on Senior Day on Saturday against Rider at 1pm.
