Fairfield University Athletics

HAMDEN, Conn. -- It's become a dependable duo for Head Coach Carl Rees. The combination of senior Ben Wignall and freshman Don-Junior Bobe has proved rich for the Fairfield University men's soccer team, a pair of Stags that tallied the match's lone goal in a 1-0 win over Quinnipiac University. The game sent Fairfield to its second straight shutout and provided the program with a solid start to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play.

"A gutsy performances by this team against the pre-season favorite," Rees said. "This is another result that was reversed from last season. Once again, Wignall and Bobe combine to score a fantastic goal."

The team received another stellar performance from freshman goalkeeper Gordon Botterill, last week's MAAC defensive player of the week. The freshman faced 17 shots and was forced to make a season-high eight saves in picking up his second clean sheet of the young season. He was especially organized in the closing five minutes when the Bobcats stepped up their offensive pressure and began sending ball after ball into the box with the hopes of catching a little lightening. But each time, Botterill was equal to the challenge and either made a save or cleared the ball out of danger.

Quinnipiac nearly capped the game with an equalizing goal with under a minute remaining when another ball was sent centrally into the box from the near corner. The ball landed at the feet of a Quinnipiac player, who managed to redirect the ball toward goal. Botterill stopped the initial shot and smothered the rebound before any other Bobcat was able to collect the loose ball and create further havoc. 

Fairfield was efficient offensively, strategically taking advantage of the few opportunities that were made available in the attacking third. The Stags managed to set up five shots in the opening half, one of which was turned into the game-winning goal. On that play, Wignall controlled the ball inside the box and drew defenders, creating opening space for Bobe. The senior sent the ball through which ended up in possession of Bobe. The freshman finished the play with a low shot that beat the goalkeeper in the 37th minute. The goal was Bobe's fifth of the season, while Wignall garnered his team-leading third assist of the campaign.

The Stags defense seemed well placed for most of the second half, thwarting most attacks with heady play from the back four. While the Bobcats outshot the Stags by a 9-1 count in the second half, most of Quinnipiac's opportunities were wide of their target or handled by Botterill. The Stags' defense raised its scoreless minutes streak to 240 minutes dating back to a goal allowed against Robert Morris in the 30th minute of their game on September 10. The shutout was Fairfield's first in a road MAAC game since last year's 2-0 victory at Saint Peter's in early October. 

The MAAC season will continue for Fairfield this Saturday when the Stags host Canisius College at Lessing Field, beginning at 7 pm. The game features a Golden Griffs team which owns the best overall record in the conference, sporting a 6-2 mark before its MAAC opener against Siena this afternoon.