ONEONTA, N.Y. -- For the second time in a week, Ben
Wignall scored a goal and picked up an assist in a match including today's match which included the team's first goal and an assist on the game winner as the Fairfield University men's soccer team came away with a 2-1 win over Robert Morris this afternoon. The senior forward picked up two goals and two assists in a pair of Fairfield wins this week.
"This was another great collective effort and two very well taken goals ensure that we continue to progress in preparation for the MAAC," Head Coach
Carl Rees said. "The weekend featured difficult playing conditions but those conditions did not stop our team from playing attractive attacking soccer."
Today's game featured the Stags taking the early lead when
Wignall put Fairfield in front with a goal in the
22nd minute.
Joseph Meyer started the attacking play when he fed a short pass to
Wignall which led the senior to a 1 v 1 situation with the Robert Morris goalkeeper.
Wignall swept past the rushing goalkeeper and pushed a shot into the goal at 21:18 of the first half. The Colonials had their own
opportunities in the half, setting up five shots in the opening half. But, Fairfield goalkeeper Gordon
Botterill was equal to the challenge and made one save in his 45 minutes of work in the half.
Robert Morris tied the game nine minutes later on a quick strike from inside the box. Christian
Coridon began the advantage when he sent a through ball toward
Bayley Winkel. The ball was deflected by a Fairfield defender but the carom landed on the feet of
Winkel. He released a shot that went toward the far post, tying the game at 1-1 with just under 15 minutes remaining in the opening half. The Stags would try to counter in the closing minutes, also putting up five shots that required Robert Morris keeper Winter
Fondi to make one save.
Early in the second half, Fairfield tallied the game-winner in the
51st minute as
Wignall and Jonas
Vergin would come together for the Stags' second goal of the match.
Wignall sent a cross into the box toward
Vergin, who was breaking on goal. The freshman rose above the defense and redirected the pass with a header that caught the far corner and resulted in a one-goal advantage for the Stags.
"Jonas was a rock throughout in central defense," Rees said. "(Jonathan) Uy and Meyer dictated the game from midfield and Wignall led the attacking line with skill and endeavor. A great trip rounded out with a deserved positive result."
From that point, the Fairfield defense kept the one-goal edge intact by keeping Robert Morris away from danger areas. While the Colonials
outshot the Stags by a 3-1 count,
Botterill was not forced to make a save in the final 45 minutes.
Fairfield will return to campus for its next game as the Stags host Temple University on September 16. The game is scheduled for 7 pm at Lessing Field.
