FAIRFIELD, Conn. – In a game that featured ample opportunity, it came down to one play in the 105th minute that decided who would win this game. And it was that play that would cost the Fairfield University men's soccer team a result as Canisius College posted a 3-2 double overtime win.
The match featured three changes and saw the score tied on two different occasions. The Griffs jumped out to an early lead when Troy Brady accepted a pass from Bjarki Benediktsson in the center of the box and sent a shot past goalkeeper
Gordon Botterill from five yards away.
Fairfield rallied for the tying goal in the 23rd minute when
Marcus Nordgard tapped in a rebound that beat goalkeeper Marco Trivellato. Trivellato made a fine save initially as
Angus Hastings found himself near the goal and popped a shot that nearly eluded the hands of the goalkeeper. But Trivellato was able to deflect the shot off the side, but Nordgard was waiting for the second chance.
Just six minutes later, Hastings would be rewarded with an aggressive run off a corner kick as
Matt McGlinchey sent a cross from the left corner that eluded the Canisius defenders and came down near the far post. Hastings was there to deflect the ball into the net, pushing the Stags in front at 28:52.
Canisius would tie the game just before the half courtesy of an unintentional header that sent the ball into the back of the net. Lucian Preis took a shot from 20 yards away which deflected off the head of Filippo Tamburini, sending the ball to the opposite corner from where Botterill initially went when Preis released the shot.
The Golden Griffs could have won the game in regulation if not for three brilliant saves by Botterill. Alex Grattarola put two shots that seemed destined to tuck under the crossbar but Fairfield's freshman goalkeeper made two acrobatic saves to push the ball over the bar and out of danger. Manuelle Cavazzoli also had an opportunity in the 77th minute but once again Botterill found a way to knock the ball off its trajectory toward the back of the net.
Fairfield's best opportunity after halftime came just 90 seconds after the game restarted.
Matt McGlinchey worked his way into open space and unleashed a shot from 20 yards away. The ball zipped past Trivellato but caught the far goal post and bounced away from danger.
The Stags will try and regroup when they make a trip to Marist College on Wednesday night before returning home for game at Lessing Field against Siena (October 7) and Saint Peter's (October 11).
