NEW HAVEN, Conn – Jaden McCarthy's goal with three minutes left in regulation furthered the best start in Bryant history and was enough to defeat the Stags 1-0. Just like last season, the Stags had plenty of opportunities, out-shooting the Bulldogs 19-10 but the reigning NEC Defensive Player of the Week Kaylan Conrad earned nine saves for Bryant.
Off a corner kick in the 87th minute, Hannah Crofut's shot was saved by Jenna Pike for her sixth save of the contest. McCarthy collected the rebound and found the back of the net for the only score of the game. Fairfield (1-3) pushed the pressure after the heartbreaking setback, taking a couple of shots in the final two minutes, but Mel Hingher's attempt went wide and Elena Santos had her shot saved by Conrad.
Bryant (3-1), who has set the scene to be one of the biggest surprises of the region, set the tone of the match early by connecting with their first shot attempt 74 seconds into the game, but Pike was up for the challenge. Pike would be the key cog to keep the Stags scoreless after the first period, recording three saves during the first 45 minutes. The Fairfield defense clamped down on the overall attempts that the Bulldogs would have by allowing only four shots during the first period, but three of those were on goal.
Fairfield had their share of opportunities as well during the opening period, with Brenna Brown leading the way with three shots, but the senior Conrad. Overall, the Stags took seven shots in the first half, but Brown's were the only one that needed to be picked up by the keeper.
After a Cassidy Boegel shot went wide in the 46th minute, Bryant would test Pike again, as the junior goalkeeper needed two saves over the first five minutes of the second half.
Just like during their win against Sacred Heart, the Fairfield defense settled down late in the game and did not allow a Bryant shot for 30 minutes. However, Bryant's next shot almost gave Bryant a late lead. In the 80th minute, Remi Manna got behind the defense and unleashed a shot, but it was kicked away from the Fairfield backline which forced a corner kick.
After that Bryant chance, the Stags had one last push to get a late advantage before the Bulldogs score. Jenn Wahlig, Holly Habyan, and Brown all connected on shots that were on target but saved by Conrad. The best collection of saves from the senior happened in the 82nd minute, when Brown unleashed a shot that was deflected away by Conrad and Habyan was able to pick up the rebound, but her attempt was also stopped on a good dive.
The Stags collected 19 shots and five corners in the contest, but were also whistled for five offside violations. Fairfield will now become the first Fairfield team to play a game on campus when they welcome Stony Brook to Lessing Field on Friday at 7pm.
