FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Arguably the most difficult non-conference schedule in the history of the Fairfield women's soccer program came to a close Sunday as the Stags fell to ACC squad Syracuse 3-0 on Lessing Field. Despite the Orange collecting their fifth clean sheet in the first eight games of their season, the Stags showed improvement on offense, especially decisions in the final third.
“It's better,” Head Coach Jim O'Brien said of his team's offensive chances. “We're getting comfortable with each other and then we're following up after that. You work on the things you need to address. Now, we're going to create some chances for ourselves. It was more creative I think but it has to be a lot more because I think we're going to have more chances going into conference play.”
The Stags (1-7-0) showed some improved offensive opportunities for the first 20 minutes of the match as they held Syracuse (6-1-1) on their heels playing the majority of the early portion in the Syracuse end. Fairfield also had the first real chance of the game when freshman Julia McGuire, who made her first career start, sent a looping ball from midfield towards Brenna Brown on the left flank. However, the Syracuse backline was able to intercept the pass to stop the counter attack. This was not the only time the back four for the Orange was able to step up as the defense relinquished only two shots in the first 30 minutes, despite the Stags controlling the pace for the majority of that span.
As has been the Achilles heel this season for the Stags, Fairfield allowed the first goal of the match off a free kick. Taylor Bennett sent a left footed service towards the far post where Eva Gordon was able to send a cross to captain Stephanie Skillton who finished to put Syracuse up 1-0. The Orange added a goal in the 36th minute off another free kick and closed their scoring in the 72nd minute when Sydney Brackett stole the ball at midfield and raced up the field to finish the 1-v-1 opportunity.
The creativity for the Stags showed in the second half when the Stags had a couple of opportunities to break the shutout mark for the Orange, and they created these opportunities by completing passes in the final third. Cassidy Boegel was on the receiving end of the first of these chances when the senior touched a cross in front of the goal but her low ball was picked up by Syracuse goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, who led the ACC in saves last season. Brenna Brown created the next chance for the Stags when the senior took a one touch by the sideline and sent a cross into Holly Habyan and the sophomore launched a shot just a few feet about the top right corner.
The Stags now wrap up their non-conference slate that featured two reigning conference regular season champions from last season and rising squads such as Bryant from the NEC and Syracuse out of the toughest conference in the nation, the ACC. Although the Stags have only one win to show for their efforts, the collective improvement shown game-by-game has led them to the opening of their MAAC slate which starts Saturday at 1pm.
“These kids come from being successful and to be 1-7 is something that's a tough pill to swallow,” Coach O'Brien said. “We just have to remind them that we really faced quality opponents and it's just going to make us better for when we get to the MAAC. That's the bottom line and that's all that matters.”
The Stags host Canisius on Saturday at 1pm. During the game, the Stags will also honor the program's alumni as part of a 25th anniversary celebration.
