FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Soccer team started their final road trip of the 2018 season with a 2-0 loss to the Niagara Purple Eagles on Saturday afternoon.
 
Despite the score line, the Stags (7-8-2, 2-5-2 MAAC) led almost every statistical category on the box score, out-shooting Niagara (9-6-2, 5-3-2 MAAC) 14-10 and holding a 10-1 advantage on corner kicks. However, Alexis Horwedel's score at the end of the first half and Annie Ibey's goal in the 58th minute were the most important statistics.
 
Horwedel's goal came in the 36th minute as she finished a cross from Selena Mangoni to open the scoring in the match. The Stags pushed up the offensive tempo after conceding the opening goal, leading to five corner kicks in the final five minutes, but only Amy Akerley was able to get a shot on target as both of her attempts were stopped by the Niagara goalkeeper Shania van Nuland.
 
After Ibey's goal made the score 2-0, the Stags still tried to answer by taking eight of the final nine shots of the game, but could not find one to cross the line. Alex Madden and Liz Dumas both had shots on target, but neither could solve van Nuland, who would finish with six saves.
 
Madden led the Stags with four total shots, with three of those on target. Besides Dumas' second half attempt, Gabby Diodati and Akerley both had shots that were saved by the goalkeeper.
 
The Stags will now close out the 2018 regular season when they travel to Marist on Wednesday night at 7pm.