FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University women's soccer team will look to bounce back after their heartbreaking overtime loss in their MAAC opener when the Stags welcome the reigning MAAC Champions the Siena Saints on Saturday at 4pm. This match will end a season-high three game home stand with the Stags playing five of their final eight matches on the road.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: For just the fourth time in program history, the Stags will be starting a MAAC season 0-1 after suffering a 2-1 setback against Canisius last week. Fairfield took the first lead of the game when Holly Habyan unleashed a long through ball from around midfield which found the feet of her classmate Jenny Jacobs. The sophomore made a move past her defender and found the back of the net for her first score of the season. The Fairfield lead lasted for 50 minutes until Canisius tied the game in the 80th minute after scoring on a failed clearance. The Golden Griffins needed less than three minutes to tally the golden goal in overtime on a perfectly executed cross. The Stags out-shot Canisius 16-7 in the loss but was also whistled for 16 fouls and seven offsides.
THE STAGS VS THE REIGNING MAAC CHAMPIONS: This will be the 16th time the Stags have faced a reigning MAAC Champion during the regular season with Fairfield holding a 5-9-1 record in those games. One of those victories was against the Saints after Siena won their first MAAC title in 2010. Fairfield would defeat Siena 1-0 at home in 2011.
PROMOTIONS: Fans attending the 4pm contest will also enjoy $1 popcorn as part of the 2016 Fairfield Women's Soccer promotion schedule. In addition to the popcorn discount, the first 100 Fairfield students will also receive “Stags Up” T-shirts. Also, the program will host Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night where each student-athlete will invite someone in the faculty and staff community who have helped them along the way. All faculty and staff will also receive a free ticket with their Stag card.
TICKET INFORMATION: To efficiently enter Lessing Field, individual game tickets can now be purchased and printed in advance through www.fairfield.edu/stagstickets. All tickets either printed or displayed on your mobile phone will be scanned at the ticket gate on game day. General admission tickets are $5, seniors and children 12 and under are $3. For customer service please email stagstickets@fairfied.edu or call 203-254-4136.
FAIRFIELD VS SIENA: The Stags and the Saints will kick-off for the 28th time in program history with Fairfield holding a 17-6-4 advantage in the series. The two teams tied a 1-1 decision last season, extending Fairfield's unbeaten streak in the series to six matches. The last time the Stags fell to Siena was a 2-1 decision in Loudonville in 2010, the season where the Saints would go on to win the MAAC title for the first time in program history. Brenna Brown, Cassidy Boegel, and Anna Borea have all tallied goals in the series while Habyan and Molly Moran have dished out assists.
THE SAINTS SCOUTING REPORT: Three has been the magic number for the Saints this season as Siena comes into the match with a 3-3-3 record. The Saints are unbeaten in their last three matches after a pair of 4-2 victories over LIU Brooklyn and Iona. Junior Michele Tremblay has been the leader during the recent success, as Tremblay produced back-to-back two goal performances which helped her to two-straight MAAC Offensive Player of the Week awards. Tremblay leads the squad with four goals with three Saints behind her with two goals apiece. The Saints have split time in the net among their two goalkeepers with Taylor Dorado starting the last six matches in goal, holding a 2-2-2 record with a 1.23 goals against average and a .619 save percentage.
UP NEXT: The Stags will begin a quick two game road trip when they travel to Quinnipiac to take on the Bobcats on Wednesday at 3pm.
