FAIRFIELD, Conn. – You couldn't ask for a more picture perfect day in the final regular season match of the 2017 season, and you couldn't ask for a more evenly played contest. The Fairfield University Women's Soccer team and the Marist Red Foxes combined for 29 shots but fought to a scoreless 0-0 draw on Senior Day. With the result, the Stags have clinched the seventh-seed in next week's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament held in Orlando, Fla.
 
The Stags (6-9-1; 4-5-1) had a couple of early chances in the final third as Alex Madden played a couple of through balls into the box, but both of Sara Plowman's final touches were nabbed by Marist's goalkeeper Makala Foley. Liz Dumas also had a chance to put the Stags in the scoring column as she recorded the first shot of the second half, but it was also picked up by Foley.
 
On the defensive side, the Stags used three defensive backs: Jackie Goudreault, Melanie Hingher, and Katherine Lynch to keep Marist (8-7-3; 5-3-2 MAAC) off the scoring column and also used the assistance of midfielders Jenny Jacobs and Maggie Walsh.
 
Making her final start on Lessing Field, goalkeeper Jenna Pike recorded a season-high five saves in the contest. Pike started her afternoon by heading out a Marist shot, which was later cleared off the line by Jacobs.
 
The match was physical throughout, with five yellow cards and 35 combined fouls. That set up numerous opportunities for both sides. Gabby Diodati had a set piece just outside the top of the box in the second half, but her attempt just sailed over the crossbar.
 
Fairfield played in their fourth overtime match of the season, and recorded one shot in extra time, with Diodati's attempt sailing high in the second overtime.
 
The Stags have earned the seventh-seed in next week's MAAC Championships. The quest for their eighth MAAC Championship, will begin in a first-round match against the tenth-seeded Iona Gaels on Saturday at 12:30pm.